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Canada manager suspended for a year over drone spying scandal
Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, July 31, 2023

CANADA women’s manager Bev Priestman has been suspended from taking part in any football-related activity for one year over a drone spying scandal.

Canada Soccer announced on Friday that Priestman had been removed from her role for the remainder of the Olympics following claims a drone was used to spy on New Zealand training sessions.

Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, were also sent home on Wednesday after a drone was believed to have recorded New Zealand training sessions on two separate occasions.

On Saturday, Fifa published the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against the Canadian Soccer Association, Priestman, Lombardi and Mander, confirming that the trio have been suspended from football for a year.

Additionally, Canada have been handed an automatic deduction of six points from their Olympic campaign and a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (£176,000).

After voluntarily withdrawing from coaching Canada’s opening match against New Zealand, Priestman was suspended from her role after “additional information” came to the Canadian Olympic Committee’s attention regarding previous drone use that took place prior to Paris 2024. Committee chief David Shoemaker also revealed on Friday that it was believed Priestman was “highly likely” to have been aware of the drone incident.

Assistant coach Andy Spence remains in charge of the Canada team.

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