Former Canada women’s coach Beverly Priestman says she did not feel safe remaining in the country following her one-year ban for spying at the 2024 Olympics.The 39-year-old was appointed head coach of New Zealand women’s side Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.It is Priestman’s first role since she wasbanned from football activity for 12 months by Fifafollowing a spying scandal at the Paris Games last summer.England-born Priestman and two other members of Canada’s staff were banned after a drone was used to spy on a training session held by opponents New Zealand before their opening group-stage match.Before a ban was issued, Priestman wasremoved as head coach by Canada Soccerafter they discovered previous drone use against opponents which “predated” the Olympics.”I didn’t feel safe [living in Canada],” Priestman said.
“That’s being brutally honest. It was very difficult for my family, and I have to live with that.”Obviously it was an absolute media frenzy. You’ve got people knocking at your door and everything, and I’ve got a little boy.
Without going into too much detail, it was very difficult. We knew we had to get out of that country.”As well as a one-year ban, Priestman was given an eight-month suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to flying a drone in an urban area without a licence.In her absence, Canada made it out of the group stages at the Olympics – despite being docked six points for the incident.They were knocked out by Germany on penalties at the quarter-final stage.Priestman, who served as Phil Neville’s assistant for two years with England’s women, guided Canada to Olympic gold at Tokyo in 2021.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: Bbcfootball
