Football scandal – or rather, soccer – at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bev Priestman, coach of the Canadian women’s national team, has been kicked out of the Games that officially open today. Priestman was suspended for the use of drones, employed to spy on and record the training sessions of other teams Canada, which is chasing a second consecutive Olympic gold, will then be led by assistant coach Andy Spence.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue explained in a statement that the investigation has shed light on the coach’s conduct: Priestman allegedly used drones in the run-up to the Games. The evidence gathered led to his suspension, which could be followed by further measures based on the findings of the investigation, which is not yet closed. According to broadcaster TSN, the practice of spying on opponents has been used for years and has also involved the men’s national team. The latest ‘mission’ of the drones is said to be very recent: the aircraft were allegedly used to observe the New Zealand women’s national team, beaten 2-1 by Canada in their debut at the Paris Games.