Bev Priestman will not return as Canada women’s soccer coach.
Photograph: William West/AFP

Bev Priestman will not return as head coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team. independent report on drone use Canadian Soccer says it will spy on the Soccer Ferns at this year’s Paris Olympics.

Following a complaint by New Zealand, the England woman and two other team officials were banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for a year. those canadian personnel They flew drones throughout training sessions before the opening match in Paris.

But after an independent review commissioned by Canada Soccer, the national governing body said Priestman and two others suspended by FIFA would not return and the search for a new coach would begin shortly.

Bev Priestman.
Photograph: AFP

The review found that Priestman and assistant coach Jasmine Mander “directed, approved and condoned” the use of drones to illegally film Football Ferns practices ahead of group matches at the Paris Olympics.

Canada Soccer released a summary of the investigation and said it did not view the drone footage of the players.

The review found no evidence of drone use during the 2020 Tokyo Games, where Priestman guided the Canadian women to their first Olympic gold medal.

Priestman, Mander and assistant coach Joey Lombardi “will not be returning” after serving one-year suspensions imposed by FIFA last summer, the board said in a statement.

“The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the drone incident in Paris is a symptom of a past unacceptable culture and inadequate supervision within the national teams,” the statement said.

“This is no longer part of our operations. In fact, the investigation’s findings strengthen our determination to continue to implement the changes necessary to improve Canadian Soccer in every aspect, and to do so with urgency.”

“Although the independent investigation has concluded, there is still more to do to put things on a new path.

“We will continue to examine the cultural and ethical foundations of our organization and dig deep to learn more. In doing so, we will take additional steps to ensure compliance with our ethical standards and Code of Conduct and communicate with stakeholders as appropriate.

“We are working to transform Canadian Soccer into a federation that Canadians trust and are proud of, and that is not defined by the unfortunate actions of the past.” ​

–Reuters/RNZ