BEV PRIESTMAN admitted he was “heartbroken” for the Canadian women’s team after they picked up six points at the Paris Olympics.
Earlier today, the Durham-born coach apologized for the impact drone spying allegations have had on the team’s players.
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Priestman, 38, who led the team to the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, is one of three Canadian football officials suspended by FIFA from all football-related activities for 12 months.
The ban on former No2 Lionesses and team members Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi follows allegations that a drone was used to spy on the training sessions of New Zealand’s Olympic rivals.
And today Canada’s federal government announced it will withhold funding for women’s soccer team officials suspended by FIFA following the drone spying incident.
Canada must win the remaining group stage games and will need results to keep their medal hopes alive.
Today, Priestman’s legal representatives, Lucentum Sports and Entertainment Law, shared a written statement from the head coach.
In it, she said: “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.
“I know how hard they have worked after a difficult year in 2023 and that they are a group of people who care deeply about sportsmanship and integrity.
“As the team leader in the field, I want to take responsibility and intend to fully cooperate with the investigation.
“To Canada, I’m sorry. You were my home and a country I fell in love with.
“I hope you will continue to support these extremely talented and hard-working players, to help them defy all odds and show their true character.
“This program and this team allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of women’s football, and winning the gold medal was achieved through sheer courage and determination, despite reports to the contrary.
“I have fought with every ounce of my being to make this program better, much of which will never be known or understood.
“I wish I could say more, but I will refrain at this time given the appeal process and ongoing investigation. In the meantime, I will be cheering from afar.”
Last week, the New Zealand Olympic Committee filed an official complaint with the IOC and informed police that a drone was seen flying over their training session.
The drone was seen hovering over the session ahead of Thursday night’s clash with the reigning Olympic champions.
Following the complaint, Priestman withdrew from his team’s group stage clash with the Kiwis, which Canada won 2-1 in Saint-Etienne.
The head coach was removed from her role at the games by the Canadian Olympic Committee last Thursday, after being suspended by the country’s football association.
This came after his assistant Mander and uncredentialed analyst Lombardi were also fired from the team’s camp by the COC.
The COC said this followed the emergence of a second drone incident.
The country’s national football association was also fined £175,720 as part of the sanctions announced by FIFA.
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