Vanessa Gilles, clearly frustrated, struggled to articulate her feelings about the suspension of Canadian women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman. “It’s just a whirlwind of emotions,” the veteran defender said on Saturday. “I’ve been working with sports therapists to keep calm.” Priestman was sent home earlier this week amid a drone spying scandal that has sent shockwaves through Canada Soccer at the Paris Games. The latest setback for the defending Olympic champions came from FIFA, which dealt a severe blow: a six-point deduction from the team, a C$313,000 fine for Canada Soccer, and a one-year ban for Priestman and two of her staff members, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander.
This disciplinary action followed the discovery that two assistant coaches used drones to spy on New Zealand’s practices before their opening game last Thursday. In response, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer issued a joint statement saying they were “exploring rights of appeal” regarding the point deduction. “We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team who, as far as we understand, had no involvement in this matter,” said David Shoemaker, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Canada Soccer was deemed responsible for not ensuring its staff followed the tournament’s rules.
There is no indication that the players were involved in the spying incident. Priestman, who led Canada to an Olympic victory in Tokyo in 2021, had already been suspended by Canada Soccer and removed from the tournament. Canadian officials suspect that spying might have been a systemic issue for years. “Cloe Lacasse just had her first Olympic game and scored her first Olympic goal, and all we’re talking about is this (expletive),” Gilles said. “It’s a lot to process.”
FIFA’s decision was announced after the eighth-ranked Canadians, who had just defeated New Zealand 2-1, completed their training session at Stade Auguste Dury. The case is now likely heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s special Olympic court in Paris, which handles urgent cases like the appeal against the sanctions. “Canada Soccer is disappointed with how the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision affects our athletes,” said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue. “We are exploring options to appeal, arguing that the sanctions are excessively harsh on our women’s national team, who were not involved in any unethical behavior.” If the CAS upholds the point deduction, it will not eliminate Canada from the tournament but will require them to win all three Group A matches to advance to the quarterfinals starting August 3. Canada faces second-ranked France on Sunday and No. 22 Colombia on Wednesday in Nice.
“This tournament moves so quickly,” said Canadian captain Jessie Fleming. “We don’t have time to dwell on our feelings too much. All my energy and focus are on the team and the game tomorrow.” FIFA judges found Priestman and her assistants guilty of “offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play.” Acting head coach Andy Spence now leads a reduced coaching staff, with only assistant coach Neil Wood and goalkeepers/set plays coach Jen Herst remaining. “There’s no training for this situation,” Spence said. “I’ve been asked to lead, and I will do my best.” Given the tournament’s tight 17-day schedule, FIFA expedited its disciplinary process by assigning the appeals judges to handle the case swiftly. “There are so many things out of our control,” said Canadian forward Adriana Leon. “What we can control is performing, playing hard, and representing the badge as best as we can.”
