Rewrite this script Canada’s women’s head coach Bev Priestman says she is “absolutely heartbroken for the players” after a drone scandal left the Olympic champions’ title defence in jeopardy.
The team has been deducted six points and Priestman received a one-year ban from world governing body Fifa.
Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander have also been suspended from all football activities for a year.
They were sanctioned after a drone was used to spy on a training session for New Zealand, who are in Canada’s group at the Paris Games.
“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” said Priestman in a statement on Sunday.
“I know how hard they have worked following a very difficult year in 2023, and that they are a group of people who care very much about sportsmanship and integrity. As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully co-operate with the investigation.”
She also urged the Canadian public to continue to support the players.
