Canada removed women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman from the team for the rest of the Olympics on Friday morning in Paris after learning of drone use against opponents that predates this summer’s Games.
The Canadian Olympic Committee’s announcement, which came hours after Canada began its Olympics with a 2-1 win over New Zealand, comes amid a spying scandal that has overshadowed the start of the women’s soccer tournament. Priestman did not coach against New Zealand after a staff member for Canada was caught flying a drone over New Zealand’s training session on Monday.
Priestman is suspended for the remainder of the Olympics and until an independent external review is complete, the Canadian Olympic Committee said.
“Over the past 24 hours, additional information has come to our attention regarding previous drone use against opponents, predating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said in a statement. “In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend women’s national soccer team head coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review.”
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