Canada women's soccer coach suspended over drone scandal, which may be part of 'systemic' issues

Canada women's soccer coach Bev Priestman was suspended and removed from the team for the Paris Olympics in the wake of a drone-spying scandal Friday, and the head of Canada Soccer said he was investigating a potential “systemic ethical shortcoming.”

Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer’s CEO and general secretary, emphasized that the players were not involved in any unethical behavior at the Paris Games. The team is currently training in Saint-Etienne.

“At the moment we are trying to directly address what appears to look like it could be a systemic ethical shortcoming, in a way that's frankly, unfortunately painful right now, but is turning out to be a necessary part of the rehabilitation process,” Blue said.

Priestman's future with the team is “pending the outcome of our review of this matter entirely," Blue said.

“Upon gathering more information from that review, that will be an additional opportunity to see what steps additionally need to be taken, if any,” Blue said.

Earlier in the day, Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker told reporters in Paris that Priestman was likely aware that drones were used to spy on New Zealand’s practices in France. Priestman has denied the allegations.

Blue also said he learned of a possible drone incident involving the men's national team at Copa America. He said it was his understanding that it did not have an impact on the competitive integrity of the competition but would not offer details.

Asked whether men's coach Jesse Marsch was aware of possible drone usage at that tournament that ended earlier this month in the United States, Blue said Marsch was aware after the fact and has “denounced it as a practice to his staff.”

Canada advanced to the semifinals of the Copa America before falling 2-0 to Argentina.

The Canadian women defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the team's Olympic opener in Saint-Etienne on Thursday. Because of the scandal, Priestman had stepped aside for the match and interim coach Andy Spence led the team.

Hours after the match, the COC announced Priestman was removed for the rest of the tournament.

Canada’s camp was thrown into disarray earlier this week after two team staffers were sent home for allegedly using a drone to spy on a New Zealand practice.

FIFA — soccer’s world governing body — and the International Olympic Committee were also investigating the incident.

Blue said that after the opener he was made aware of new information related to the drone scandal, which led to Priestman's suspension.

“They gave me reasons to think further about the potential that this behavior was systemic,” Blue said. “And while we are certainly reserving judgement until the conclusion of our review, the concrete information I received yesterday made me consider the possibility, at least, that this matter is more extensive.”

Federation officials met with the players Friday morning. Canada next plays host France on Sunday, also in Saint-Etienne.

The COC said earlier in the week that that assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were sent home for their involvement in the drone surveillance.

Priestman held a brief media availability Wednesday after guiding her team through a one-hour practice.

“My reaction was you feel like this program has let the country down,” the 38-year-old Priestman said. “That’s why I took the proactive step to do what I felt was the right thing. Irrespective of the details, I’m ultimately accountable.”

Priestman is under contract through the 2027 Women’s World Cup. She took over in 2020 and led the team to a gold medal at the 2021 Olympics. But Canada was eliminated in the group stage of last year’s Women's World Cup. She has coached the team to 28 wins, nine losses and 10 draws.

Blue didn't specify a timeline for completion of the investigation.

“I'm hopeful that with the decision that we made last night, that following the press conference today, we can move forward and allow the the focus to be on the players in the competition for the remainder of the Olympics, so that the players have the opportunity to really be focused on the competition during the time of the Olympic games," he said.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Canada's players pose for photos on the pitch at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. Canada is scheduled to play New Zealand on Thursday, July 25. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

New Zealand's Indiah-Paige Riley, left, and Canada's Kadeisha Buchanan compete for the ball during the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Canada's Cloe Lacasse celebrates scoring her side's first goal during the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Canada team pose for a group photo prior to the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Canada women's soccer coach removed by Canadian Olympic Committee over drone controversy

Canada women's soccer coach removed by Canadian Olympic Committee over drone controversy

Coach Beverly Priestman of Canada takes photos on the pitch at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. Canada is scheduled to play New Zealand on Thursday, July 25. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government has revoked permission for Brazil to serve as custodian of Argentina's diplomatic missions in the country, alleging several anti-government opponents holed up for months in the Argentine ambassador's residence had been plotting terrorist acts from the compound.

In a statement Saturday, Venezuela's foreign ministry said it had notified Brazil of its decision, which will take effect immediately. It said it was forced to take action based on what it called evidence — which it hasn't shared — that those who sought refuge in Argentina's diplomatic mission were plotting.

Magalli Meda, the former campaign chief of opposition leader María Corina Machado, was among a half dozen government opponents who fled to the Argentina ambassador’s residence after Maduro’s chief prosecutor in March issued an order for her arrest for allegedly propagating destabilizing, political violence.

In retaliation, Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Argentine President Javier Milei’s right-wing government, which tapped neighbor Brazil to represent its interests and safeguard the asylum seekers.

There was no immediate response from Argentina or Brazil.

Since Friday, armored vehicles from the SEBIN political police have been parked outside the Argentina ambassador’s residence in a leafy Caracas neighborhood. Electricity to the diplomatic mission was also cut, according to Meda, who has taken to social media to denounce what she fears is an impending raid to arrest her and the other government opponents.

Police guard Argentina's embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)