Canada cuts Priestman funding as minister says spy scandal has embarrassed nation

Sport Canada is withholding funding relating to the country’s women’s football coach, Bev Priestman, and two other suspended team officials, calling the drone scandal that has engulfed the team a national embarrassment. Priestman herself has meanwhile issued a statement of apology.

Canada were docked six points – a huge blow to their hopes of retaining the Olympic title they won at the Tokyo Games – after it emerged they had used drones to spy on opponents. Fifa also banned the Englishwoman Priestman and the officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander from any football-related activity for one year.

“Using a drone to surveil another team during a closed practice is cheating,” Canada’s sport minister, Carla Qualtrough, said in a statement. “It is completely unfair to Canadian players and to opposing teams. It undermines the integrity of the game itself.

“Given that the women’s program receives funding from Sport Canada, we are withholding funding relating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their Fifa sanction.

Related: Canada spying scandal threatens to tarnish their Tokyo football gold

“There is a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour at Canada Soccer. We must, and will, get to the bottom of this. This issue has caused significant distraction and embarrassment for Team Canada and all Canadians here in Paris and at home.”

In her statement, Priestman said: “I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them.

“I know how hard they have worked following a very difficult year in 2023, and that they are a group of people who care very much about sportsmanship and integrity. As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.

“To Canada, I am sorry. You have been my home and a country I have fallen in love with. I hope you will continue to support these extremely talented and hardworking players, to help them defy all odds and show their true character.

“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.”

Canada Soccer has said it was exploring how it could appeal the six-point penalty, which was handed down by Fifa. The punishment leaves Canada third in their group on zero points. Despite the controversy, they have won their first two games, against New Zealand and France. They face Colombia on Wednesday and can still qualify for the knockout stages.

Former Canada players have thrown their support behind the players.

“Furious. Fuming. Sad. Heartbroken. These players don’t deserve this,” former goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, who helped Canada win gold at Tokyo, posted on X.

“They’ve been let down by so many of their own people, not just [the national team] staff. Standing with these players and every player that has ever been part of this program, and worked so hard to build it, not tear it down.”

Diana Matheson, who retired in 2020 after 206 appearances for Canada over a 17-year career, gave her full support to the players.

“Like many Canadians, I’ve been working through many emotions on this story that has become such a distraction for not just the WNT, but drawn attention away from the entire Canadian Olympic team,” she wrote. “I stand with the players. I’m with you. Canadians are with you. Last game, next game, all the games, we are right there with you. Take six points from us? Fine, let’s go get nine.”

On Saturday, ESPN reported that US Soccer had been aware of Canadian teams attempting to spy on American practice sessions. A source told ESPN that US Soccer had not reported its concerns to Fifa because the US and Canada, along with Mexico, are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

“It wasn’t worth it with so many bigger-ticket issues out there,” the source told ESPN. “But that doesn’t mean it didn’t matter.”

Canada Soccer has been dogged by controversy and allegations for a number of years. In 2019, the Guardian uncovered allegations of abusive behaviour by an elite Canadian coach in 2008.

In February 2023 Canada’s women’s players went on strike over pay issues and budget cuts. They were threatened with legal action by Canada Soccer. In July 2023 a short-term deal ensuring minimum equal pay with the men’s team was reached, but long-term agreement remains outstanding. The coach of the Canadian men’s team, Jesse Marsch, is partly funded by the country’s MLS teams.