Canadian women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman said she is taking accountability and co-operating with an investigation into a spying scandal involving the women’s soccer team that has blown up at the Paris Games.
Preistman offered her first public comments on the scandal Sunday in a statement issued by her lawyers.
“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.
Priestman and two assistants were suspended by FIFA for a year as a part of a punishment for a developing situation that started when an analyst was caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand team practices before the start of Olympic competition.
The sanctions also included a six-point penalty — the equivalent of two wins in the Olympic tournament — for the defending champion Canadians in Paris and a fine of around $313,000 levied against Canada Soccer.
Priestman also had a message for the country.
“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 hard-working players, to help them defy the odds and show their true character.”
Priestman added she will co-operate with the Canada Soccer investigation.
She also seemed to respond to those who have said Canada’s 2021 Olympic gold is now tainted.
“… (the players’) winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary.”
Earlier Sunday, Canadian sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced that the government is withholding some of Canada Soccer’s funding as a result of the scandal.
— with files from Sportsnet.