Canada boss Bev Priestman and two members of her coaching staff have been handed a one-year ban by FIFA over the Olympics spygate scandal. Priestman took responsibility after a drone flew over New Zealand’s training session ahead of their women’s football clash at the Games.
The English-born coach was suspended by Canada Soccer while an internal review took place. A French court announced that analyst Joseph Lombardi had been handed an eight-month suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to flying a drone in an urban area without a licence.
FIFA has announced that Priestman, Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander have been handed one-year suspensions. They will not be allowed to take part in any football-related activity during that time.
Additionally, the Canadian women’s team have been docked a mega six points from their group, effectively ending their chances of a medal. Canada won their match against New Zealand on Thursday, securing a 2-1 victory.
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A FIFA statement read: “Following disciplinary proceedings opened against the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), and its officials Beverly Priestman, Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to refer the case directly to the FIFA Appeal Committee in accordance with article 56.3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).
“This decision was taken due to the possibility that the outcome of the proceedings affects the development of the ongoing Women’s Olympic Football Tournament - Games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 Final Competition (OFT) and with the aim to safeguard the respondents’ rights.”
It added: “CSA was found responsible for failing to respect the applicable FIFA regulations in connection with its failure to ensure the compliance of its participating officials of the OFT with the prohibition on flying drones over any training sites.”
Priestman said after news of the incident emerged: "I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for.
"I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program."
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said: "One of the key pieces of information was the conclusion from Canada Soccer that (Priestman) needed to be suspended based on their accumulation of facts.
"I've seen some of the information they have, and we gathered some additional information ourselves that made me conclude that she was highly likely to have been aware of the incidents here."
Assistant coach Andy Spence has been placed in charge of the Canadian women’s team for the remainder of the Olympics.
