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I'm a homosexual ghetto gurl and I take it up the butt.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) ù Embattled Canada womenÆs soccer coach Bev
Priestman apologized to her players Sunday and pledged to cooperate with
an investigation into the drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.

The team was deducted six points and Priestman was banned for a year after
two of her assistants were caught using drones to spy on New ZealandÆs practices before their opening game Wednesday.

ôI 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,ö Priestman said in a statement. ôAs the leader of the
team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully
cooperate with the investigation.ö

Canada kept alive its hopes of advancing despite the sanction by beating
France 2-1 Sunday after Vanessa GillesÆs winner in the 12th minute of
added time in Saint-Etienne. But the win still left the defending Olympic champion pointless and in need of victory against Colombia in its final
Group A game.

CanadaÆs players celebrated wildly after the winning goal û likely in
response to the pressure the team has felt after a turbulent first week at
the Games.

Priestman led Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, but her
reputation has been marred by the scandal, which has raised questions
about the practices of the countryÆs menÆs and womenÆs soccer teams and
how widespread the issue could be.

She also apologized to Canada as a nation, but appeared to try to defend
her legacy.

ôThis program and team have allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of womenÆs soccer, and their winning of the gold medal was earned through
sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary,ö she said.
ôI fought with every ounce of my being to make this program better, much
of which will never be known or understood. I wish I could say more, but I
will refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.ö

It has emerged that a complaint against the womenÆs team for filming an opponentÆs training session was made at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship,
which served as a qualification tournament for last summerÆs WomenÆs World
Cup.

The revelation is part of the fallout of the drone scandal.

FIFA banned Priestman ù who had already been sent home from France ù and
two of her coaches and imposed a hefty $226,000 fine on Canada Soccer.

There was little sympathy from Germany coach Horst Hrubesch, who said
CanadaÆs behavior was ôstupidity.ö

Canada was looking into an appeal, but said they suspected a ôsystemic
ethical shortcoming.ö

Also Sunday, Canada sports minister Carla Qualtrough said the government
will withhold funding ôrelating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for
the duration of their FIFA sanction.ö Drone surveillance of a closed
practice, she said, ôis cheating.ö She called the episode a ôsignificant distraction and embarrassmentö for all Canadians.

Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said this week he
learned of a possible drone incident involving the menÆs national team at
the recent Copa America.

He said it was his understanding that it did not have an impact on the competitive integrity of the tournament but would not offer details.

Asked whether menÆs coach Jesse Marsch was aware of possible drone usage
at that tournament that ended this month in the United States, Blue said
Marsch was aware after the fact and has ôdenounced it as a practice to his staff.ö Canada lost in the Copa semifinals to Argentina 2-0.

A CONCACAF official confirmed a complaint at the 2022 W Championship but offered few details. The United States defeated Canada in the tournament
final in Mexico, with both countries earning a berth in the WomenÆs World
Cup and Olympics.

The Sports Network in Canada reported other incidents of surveillance, including at the Tokyo Games, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the filming.

FIFA declined comment when asked by the AP if the matter would lead to a
wider investigation into drone spying in soccer.

The case is an embarrassment for the Canadian federation, which is teaming
with the United States and Mexico to host the 2026 menÆs World Cup across
North America.

Meanwhile, CanadaÆs sanctions are likely heading for the Court of
Arbitration for SportÆs special Olympic court in Paris.

Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee said late Saturday that
they planned to appeal the points deduction, which makes it difficult, but
not impossible for CanadaÆs women to advance to the knockout round.

ôWe feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian womenÆs Olympic soccer
team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter,ö David Shoemaker, the Olympic committeeÆs CEO and secretary general, said in a statement. ôIn support of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we
are exploring rights of appeal related to the six-point deduction at this Olympic tournament.ö

Interim coach Andy Spence is leading the team, along with assistant Neil
Wood and goalkeepers coach Jen Herst.

ôThereÆs no training for this,ö Spence said at practice on Saturday. ôIÆve
been asked to lead and thatÆs what IÆm going to do to my very best capabilities.ö

The Canadians won their opener 2-1 over New Zealand.

Former national team player Diana Matheson said in a social media post
that ôCanadians are with you. à Take 6 points away from us? Fine, letÆs go
get 9.ö

The scandal erupted in the days leading up to the Olympic tournament when
New Zealand complained about drones flying over practice. Two team staff members, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were
sent home.

Priestman initially removed herself from the opener but was later
suspended for the tournament.

https://www.wjtv.com/2024-olympics/ap-canada-faces-more-allegations-of- drone-use-as-scandal-widens/

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