Priestman took over the team in 2020, and a year later in Tokyo, Canada won the gold medal on penalties in the final against the Swedes.
In the match in Paris on Thursday, the defending champions beat New Zealand 2-1, but under the guidance of assistant coach Andy Spence, Priestman “voluntarily left” the team.
The reason is a spying scandal.
curate, Yasmine Mandir And the unaccredited analyst Joseph Lombardi He was also sent home after the incident.
A French court sentenced the latter to eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge of operating a drone in an urban area without permission to monitor the enemy.
According to a statement issued by the Canadian Association, the captain was suspended pending the completion of an independent external investigation into his case due to new information in recent hours (namely, that drones were used to spy on competitors even before the Paris Olympics).
Priestman confirmed that he takes responsibility for his teammates' actions after sending the scouting report that Lombardi submitted to Mander. After the incident, the coach who won the gold medal in Tokyo apologized:
First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the players and staff of the New Zealand national team, as well as to the members of the Canadian national team. This does not befit the team's values. I am ultimately responsible for any violations in our program
– The newspaper quotes the priest.
On Wednesday, FIFA began disciplinary proceedings against Priestman, Lombardi and Mander.
(Cover photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
