Why Has The Canadian Olympic Manager Been Sent Home?

Beverly Priestman’s campaign as Canada Women’s Olympic Soccer team manager has ended before she has even been able to coach one match.

Canada women’s football manager Beverly Priestman has been removed as Olympic head coach and suspended by the country’s football federation.

A drone was used to spy on their opponents' training sessions 👀#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/GXkieKAE8g

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 26, 2024

In this bizarre situation, Canada Women now find themselves without a manager heading into their first match of Paris 2024 as Priestman has been fired for allegedly using drones to spy on the training sessions of Canada’s opponents.

New Zealand are the team Canada are scheduled to face first so Priestman reportedly ordered for a drone to be sent out to spy on the Kiwis. The drone was to be flown over where New Zealand are knuckling down, to record footage of what tactics and style of football they might opt for in their clash with Canada as well as any other information, for example who is able or unable to play.

Beverly Priestman has been removed from her role as Canada's Head Coach and will face suspension from the Canadian Football Federation. In addition, French authorities have given the drone operator an eight month suspended sentence for using the drone without the proper licensing, adding to the already major unethical situation.

What is even crazier is that the Canadian Football Federation have now discovered that this is not the first time that this has happened, going back to before this Olympic Games.

It has not yet been confirmed whether Canada, as whole team, will receive punishment but this fiasco definitely puts a massive spanner in the works for the reigning Olympic Gold medallists going into this year’s Games.

All eyes will be on Canada for this tournament to see if Assistant Coach Andy Spence, who has stepped in as Priestman's replacement, can put this drama past the team and achieve back to back Golds.