The recent scandal involving Bev Priestman, the head coach of Canada’s women’s national team, being removed from the Olympic soccer team due to the use of drones to spy on opponents’ practice has sent shockwaves through the sports world. This incident has raised questions about the ethics of using technology to gain a competitive advantage in sports and has tarnished the reputation of one of Canada’s most successful coaches.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced the decision to remove Bev Priestman from the country’s Olympic soccer team after Canada Soccer decided to suspend her for the remainder of the tournament. This drastic action was taken in response to a complaint from New Zealand, Canada’s opening opponent, regarding drones being flown over closed practice sessions. The COC statement cited the suspension by Canada Soccer as the reason for Priestman’s removal, with assistant coach Andy Spence stepping in to lead the team for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
According to a report from TSN, both Canada’s women’s and men’s soccer teams have used drones to record opponents’ closed-door training sessions for several years, including during the women’s gold-medal winning Tokyo Olympic tournament in 2021. This revelation has brought to light a pattern of unethical behavior that extends beyond the current scandal. Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue acknowledged the use of drones against opponents in the past and announced Priestman’s suspension until the completion of an independent external review.
In response to the initial complaint from New Zealand, two staff members — assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Canada Soccer analyst Joseph Lombardi — were sent home from the Olympics. Despite Canada’s 2-1 victory over New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament, the absence of Coach Priestman was notable. Priestman, who had no knowledge of the drone use according to her statements, demonstrated accountability by stepping away from the team for the match.
Bev Priestman’s coaching career has been marked by both success and controversy. She led Canada to a gold medal at the 2021 Olympics but faced early elimination in the group stage of the World Cup. With a record of 28 wins, nine losses, and 10 draws, Priestman’s coaching style has been met with mixed reviews. Prior to coaching Canada, she held coaching roles in New Zealand and England, demonstrating her experience and expertise in the sport.
The scandal involving Bev Priestman and the use of drones to spy on opponents’ practice has had far-reaching consequences for Canada’s women’s national soccer team. The decision to remove Priestman from the Olympic team has highlighted the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in competitive sports. Moving forward, it will be crucial for the team to rebuild its reputation and focus on ethical practices to regain the trust of fans and competitors alike.