'Absolutely heartbroken' - Canada coach Bev Priestman speaks out after drone spying scandal lands her one-year ban from FIFA

Canada were sanctioned after a drone was used to spy on a New Zealand training session, one of their group stage opponents at the Paris Olympics. Coach Priestman received a one-year ban from FIFA and Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were also suspended for the same period. Now, Priestman has reacted to the fallout of this episode.

In a statement on Sunday, she 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 co-operate with the (CSA) investigation."

Canada's women's team won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago but this is a dark day for them. Canada's government said it would withhold funding for the women's football officials who were banned by FIFA and Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker said there appeared to be "information that could tarnish" their Tokyo gold, too.

Canada beat New Zealand 2-1 in their first group stage match but after their six-point deduction, they are on minus three points. They face France next in a must-win match and then round off their group stage campaign against Colombia.