Canada Women's Soccer Coach Bev Priestman Apologizes Amid Drone Spying Scandal

Embattled Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman apologized to her players and pledged to cooperate with an investigation into the drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics. Priestman and her staff were implicated in spying on New Zealand's practices, leading to a points deduction and heavy fines for Canada Soccer.

Embattled Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman has issued an apology to her players and vowed to cooperate fully with an investigation into a drone-spying scandal that has rocked the Paris Olympics.

The Canadian team was docked six points, and Priestman was banned for a year after two of her assistants were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand's practice sessions ahead of their opening game. Despite the setback, Canada managed a 2-1 victory over France on Sunday, keeping their hopes alive for advancing in the tournament.

The scandal has tarnished Priestman's reputation, who led Canada to an Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021. FIFA has issued heavy fines and suspensions, causing a significant fallout within Canadian soccer, prompting sports minister Carla Qualtrough to withhold government funding related to suspended officials. The situation is expected to head to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's special Olympic court in Paris.

(With inputs from agencies.)