Canadian women’s coach Bev Priestman said she is “absolutely heartbroken for the players” after a drone scandal left the Olympic champions’ title defense in jeopardy.
The team was docked six points and Priestman was banned for a year by world governing body FIFA.
Canadian Football Association (CSA) officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were also suspended from all football activities for one year.
They were sanctioned after a drone was used to spy on a training session for New Zealand, which is in Canada’s group at the Paris Games.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players and would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement Sunday.
“I know how hard they have worked after a very difficult year in 2023 and that they are a group of people who care deeply about sportsmanship and integrity. I intend to cooperate fully with the investigation,” added the English coach, referring to an ongoing CSA investigation.
She also urged the Canadian public to continue supporting the players.
Earlier on Sunday, Canada’s government said it will withhold funding for women’s soccer officials who have been banned by FIFA.
Carla Qualtrough, the country’s sports minister, said the decision to send a drone to monitor New Zealand’s training was “cheating”.
She described the issue as “deeply regrettable” and said it was causing “significant distraction and embarrassment to Team Canada and all Canadians.”
“It’s completely unfair to Canadian players and opposing teams. This undermines the integrity of the game itself,” Qualtrough added.
“Given that the women’s program receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding relating to suspended Canadian soccer officials for the duration of the FIFA sanction.”
Sport Canada is the government-led national body that helps fund elite national organizations.
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said Friday there appeared to be “information that could tarnish” the women’s soccer team’s gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
It followed Canadian media reports that drones had been used in previous tournaments.
Qualtrough added: “There is a deeply troubling pattern of behavior at Canada Soccer.
“We must and will get to the bottom of this issue. The Government of Canada will closely monitor the investigation and results of the ongoing Canada Soccer process.
“The Commission on the Future of Sport in Canada is also underway, and will make recommendations to the government on improvements to the Canadian sports system.”
However, Priestman said in his statement that “winning the gold medal was achieved through sheer courage and determination, despite reports to the contrary.”
Canada, led by assistant coach Andy Spence in Priestman’s absence, defeated New Zealand to take three points in their Group A opener in France.
FIFA’s sanction, however, leaves the team three points down, with games against the host country and Colombia to follow.
