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WHAT HAPPENED?
Back in July, FIFA suspended Priestman for one year due to “offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play” following the drone controversy at Paris 2024. That came after a member of Canada’s coaching staff was caught filming the training session of New Zealand, its first opponent at the Games, sparking a huge scandal that rumbled on throughout the tournament.
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Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
TSN subsequently released a report alleging that Canada’s men’s and women’s soccer teams have ‘engaged for years in efforts to film the closed-door training sessions of their opponents, including during the women’s gold-medal winning Olympic tournament in 2021’. Canada Soccer would soon suspend Priestman, just before FIFA did, and open its own investigation into events.
DID YOU KNOW?
While that investigation continues, and Priestman remains suspended, Canada Soccer has assembled an interim coaching staff for the women’s national team’s October friendly against Spain, the world champion. Returning coaches Andy Spence, Jen Herst and Neil Wood will be joined by performance analyst Maryse Bard-Martel, former player Diana Matheson and Katelyn Collar, who is the coach of Whitecap FC Girls Elite.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR PRIESTMAN AND CANADA?
It remains unclear what Canada Soccer’s long-term plan is for the coaching staff with the women’s national team, and whether Priestman will be part of it – especially while its own investigation into the drone controversy continues.
