Beverly Priestman's Fallout: Spying Scandal, Safety Fears & New Zealand Redemption

Former Canada women's football coach Beverly Priestman reveals safety concerns after FIFA ban for Olympic espionage, now seeking redemption with New Zealand's Wellington Phoenix.

From Olympic Glory to Controversy

Beverly Priestman, the 39-year-old English coach who led Canada to Tokyo 2020 gold medal glory, has broken her silence about the surveillance scandal that reshaped her career. Appointed Wednesday as head coach of New Zealand's Wellington Phoenix, Priestman told BBC Sport: "Living in Canada became untenable after the drone incident."

The Spying Fallout

  • Banned from football for 12 months by FIFA
  • Received 8-month suspended jail sentence
  • Canada Soccer terminated contract pre-ban
  • Media frenzy led to safety concerns

Behind the Drone Incident During the 2024 Paris Olympics:

  1. Canada staff used unlicensed drone surveillance
  2. Targeted New Zealand's closed training session
  3. Violated FIFA's Article 69 (sporting integrity)
  4. Canada docked 6 Olympic points post-scandal

"When people start showing up at your home with cameras," Priestman revealed, "and you're trying to protect your child... that changes everything."

Career Crossroads Period Achievement
2018-2021 England Women's Assistant
2021-2024 Canada Head Coach
Post-Ban Wellington Phoenix Hire

What's Next? The embattled coach faces:

  • Rebuilding trust in New Zealand
  • FIFA compliance monitoring until 2025
  • Potential legal challenges from Canada

"This game tests you," Priestman concluded. "But football remains my oxygen."

Relation Football Schedule
2025-10-19 Sunday

Fulham

00:30 England, Premier League, Round 8

Call

00:30

Arsenal

Angers

01:00 France, Ligue 1, Round 8

Call

01:00

Monaco

Olympique de Marseille

03:05 France, Ligue 1, Round 8

Call

03:05

Le Havre

Tottenham

21:00 England, Premier League, Round 8

Call

21:00

Aston Villa

Lens

21:00 France, Ligue 1, Round 8

Call

21:00

Paris FC

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