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Banned coach Bev Priestman 'heartbroken' and apologizes in Canada drone-spying scandal at Olympics

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Banned coach Bev Priestman 'heartbroken' and apologizes in Canada drone-spying scandal at Olympics
Sport

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Banned coach Bev Priestman 'heartbroken' and apologizes in Canada drone-spying scandal at Olympics

2024-07-29 06:15 Last Updated At:06:21

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Embattled Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman apologized to her players Sunday and pledged to cooperate with an investigation into the drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.

The team was deducted six points and Priestman was banned for a year after two of her assistants were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s practices before their opening game Wednesday.

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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 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's Evelyne Viens, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's second 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's Evelyne Viens, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's second 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 faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

FILE - Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA deducted six points from Canada in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament and banned three coaches, including Priestman, for one year each on Saturday, July 27, 2204, in a drone spying scandal. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

FILE - Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA deducted six points from Canada in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament and banned three coaches, including Priestman, for one year each on Saturday, July 27, 2204, in a drone spying scandal. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

“I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement. “As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.”

Canada kept alive its hopes of advancing despite the sanction by beating France 2-1 Sunday after Vanessa Gilles's winner in the 12th minute of added time in Saint-Etienne. But the win still left the defending Olympic champion pointless and in need of victory against Colombia in its final Group A game.

Canada's players celebrated wildly after the winning goal - likely in response to the pressure the team has felt after a turbulent first week at the Games.

Priestman led Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, but her reputation has been marred by the scandal, which has raised questions about the practices of the country’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and how widespread the issue could be.

She also apologized to Canada as a nation, but appeared to try to defend her legacy.

“This program and team have allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of women’s soccer, and their winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary,” she said. “I fought with every ounce of my being to make this program better, much of which will never be known or understood. I wish I could say more, but I will refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.”

It has emerged that a complaint against the women’s team for filming an opponent’s training session was made at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, which served as a qualification tournament for last summer’s Women’s World Cup.

The revelation is part of the fallout of the drone scandal.

FIFA banned Priestman — who had already been sent home from France — and two of her coaches and imposed a hefty $226,000 fine on Canada Soccer.

There was little sympathy from Germany coach Horst Hrubesch, who said Canada's behavior was “stupidity.”

Canada was looking into an appeal, but said they suspected a “systemic ethical shortcoming.”

Also Sunday, Canada sports minister Carla Qualtrough said the government will withhold funding “relating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their FIFA sanction.” Drone surveillance of a closed practice, she said, “is cheating.” She called the episode a “significant distraction and embarrassment” for all Canadians.

Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said this week he learned of a possible drone incident involving the men’s national team at the recent Copa America.

He said it was his understanding that it did not have an impact on the competitive integrity of the tournament but would not offer details.

Asked whether men’s coach Jesse Marsch was aware of possible drone usage at that tournament that ended 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 lost in the Copa semifinals to Argentina 2-0.

A CONCACAF official confirmed a complaint at the 2022 W Championship but offered few details. The United States defeated Canada in the tournament final in Mexico, with both countries earning a berth in the Women’s World Cup and Olympics.

The Sports Network in Canada reported other incidents of surveillance, including at the Tokyo Games, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the filming.

FIFA declined comment when asked by the AP if the matter would lead to a wider investigation into drone spying in soccer.

The case is an embarrassment for the Canadian federation, which is teaming with the United States and Mexico to host the 2026 men’s World Cup across North America.

Meanwhile, Canada’s sanctions are likely heading for the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s special Olympic court in Paris.

Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee said late Saturday that they planned to appeal the points deduction, which makes it difficult, but not impossible for Canada’s women to advance to the knockout round.

“We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter,” David Shoemaker, the Olympic committee’s CEO and secretary general, said in a statement. “In support of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we are exploring rights of appeal related to the six-point deduction at this Olympic tournament.”

Interim coach Andy Spence is leading the team, along with assistant Neil Wood and goalkeepers coach Jen Herst.

“There’s no training for this,” Spence said at practice on Saturday. “I’ve been asked to lead and that’s what I’m going to do to my very best capabilities.”

The Canadians won their opener 2-1 over New Zealand.

Former national team player Diana Matheson said in a social media post that “Canadians are with you. ... Take 6 points away from us? Fine, let’s go get 9.”

The scandal erupted in the days leading up to the Olympic tournament when New Zealand complained about drones flying over practice. Two team staff members, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were sent home.

Priestman initially removed herself from the opener but was later suspended for the tournament.

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

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 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's Evelyne Viens, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's second 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's Evelyne Viens, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's second 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 faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

FILE - Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA deducted six points from Canada in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament and banned three coaches, including Priestman, for one year each on Saturday, July 27, 2204, in a drone spying scandal. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

FILE - Canada's head coach Bev Priestman gestures during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Canada in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA deducted six points from Canada in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer tournament and banned three coaches, including Priestman, for one year each on Saturday, July 27, 2204, in a drone spying scandal. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)

Next Article

Ovechkin scores again, but the Hurricanes beat the Capitals to clinch a playoff spot

2025-04-03 10:12 Last Updated At:10:31

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored his 892nd career goal, moving him three away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record, but rookie Jackson Blake scored twice to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Wednesday night and clinch a playoff spot.

Logan Stankoven, Seth Jarvis and Sean Walker also scored for the Hurricanes, who qualified for the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. That matches a franchise record.

Frederik Andersen stopped 20 of 21 shots to win his seventh straight start for Carolina.

Ovechkin beat Andersen with a one-timer with Washington on a 5-on-3 power play with 34.5 seconds left in the second to cut Carolina's lead to 4-1. Ovechkin has 17 goals in the past 25 games and has 39 this season.

Washington goalie Logan Thompson gave up three goals in the first before he left the game at intermission with an upper-body injury and was replaced by Charlie Lindgren, who made 18 saves.

Capitals: Washington looked like a team playing the second half of a back to back with a playoff spot already secured and little, other than Ovechkin’s chase, to play for. Thompson’s health late in an impressive season is a bigger concern, over the last seven games, than winning the Presidents' Trophy.

Hurricanes: Jarvis’ power-play goal in the first was his 30th of the season. He has posted back-to-back 30-goal seasons. Blake has three goals in three games after one in his previous 25.

Jarvis' one-timer on the power play at 13:21 in the first period gave the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead and looked like an homage to Ovechkin and his signature scoring stroke from the left faceoff circle.

There were 142 penalty minutes doled out, including 122 in the third period as post-whistle antics and fights ratcheted up and the game got out of hand.

The Capitals host Chicago on Friday while the Hurricanes visit Detroit the same night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis celebrates his goal along the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capital in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis celebrates his goal along the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capital in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) looses control of the puck after being hit by Washington Capitals' John Carlson (74) with Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) looses control of the puck after being hit by Washington Capitals' John Carlson (74) with Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck past Carolina Hurricanes Dmitry Orlov (7) for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck past Carolina Hurricanes Dmitry Orlov (7) for a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) watches the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) watches the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Logan Stankoven (22) celebrates his goal with Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Carolina Hurricanes' Logan Stankoven (22) celebrates his goal with Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

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