Former Canada women’s national team coach Beverly Priestman has expressed her concerns for her safety in Canada following a one-year ban imposed by Fifa due to involvement in a spying scandal related to the upcoming 2024 Olympics. The 39-year-old, who recently accepted the position of head coach for New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix women’s team, remains in the spotlight due to the controversy surrounding her departure from the Canadian side.
Priestman’s ban came after it was revealed that she and two other members of the Canadian coaching staff utilized a drone to surveil a training session of their opening group-stage opponents, New Zealand. The suspension followed discovery of previous drone incidents that occurred before the Olympics, leading to her dismissal from Canada Soccer.
In light of these events, Priestman stated in a candid remark, “I didn’t feel safe [living in Canada].” Her new role marks a significant shift in her career as she seeks to move forward from the scandal and rebuild her professional standing in the sport.
This incident sheds light on the competitive pressures within international sports and the lengths to which teams might go for an edge, but it also presents an opportunity for Priestman to demonstrate her coaching capabilities in a new environment.
Overall, this transition shows that while challenges can arise from controversies, they can also lead to new beginnings and opportunities in the world of sports.