Bev Priestman out as Canada women’s head coach after probe into Olympic drone scandal

Canada Soccer has parted ways with Bev Priestman.

The decision to sack Priestman comes after an independent review was launched into her role in the drone control scandal at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were also dismissed as Canadian Soccer released the findings of the investigation.

The women’s soccer team has been embroiled in scandal after New Zealand raised concerns about a drone flying near their training ground while the team was preparing to compete in the Olympic tournament. FIFA fined Canadian Soccer $228,000 and stripped the team of six points in the standings.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS REPORTING ON FOXNEWS.COM

Canada’s coach Beverly Priestman gestures during a soccer training session ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 17, 2023. (Scott Barbour/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

FIFA also suspended Priestman, Mandro and Lombardi for one year. Despite the penalty, Canada managed to advance to the group. Germany knocked Canada out of the Olympic tournament in the quarterfinals.

An investigation by lawyer Sonia Regenbogen of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark found no evidence that the Canadian players had viewed the drone footage. However, it found that assistant coaches and other support staff «did not feel they could challenge the head coach’s authority.»

CANADIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE SAYS SPYING SCANDAL COULD DAMAGE TOKYO WOMEN’S GOLD MEDAL

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach Priestman for comment. Priestman led Canada to a gold medal at the Tokyo Games. The review found that no drones were being used in Japan, but that two national team coaches were conducting inappropriate surveillance «ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics».

Beverly Priestman gestures during the quarter-final – 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup between Canada and Costa Rica at BMO Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Los Angeles (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

«The independent investigator’s findings reveal that the Paris drone incident was symptomatic of a past pattern of unacceptable culture and insufficient oversight within national teams,» Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in a statement.

«This is no longer part of our operations. In fact, the findings of the investigation strengthen our resolve to continue to implement the changes necessary to improve Canadian soccer in all respects, and to do so urgently. While the independent investigation has been concluded, there is more to be done , to set things on a new path.»

Beverly Priestman reacts during the women’s gold medal match between Canada and Sweden on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama International Stadium on August 6, 2021 in Yokohama, Japan. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The review also found that allegations suggesting the men’s team used drones to spy on opponents at the Copa America were unfounded. However, he identified «potential wrongdoing» by former Canadian men’s coach John Herdman, who was not interviewed due to scheduling issues.

«Potential violations of the Canadian Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics by the former head coach of the men’s national team were identified,» Canada Soccer said in a summary of the investigation. «Pursuant to Soccer Canada’s Disciplinary Code, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated to address these potential violations.»

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Herdman left Canadian Soccer last year and is currently the coach of Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.

«The organization will thoroughly review and process the findings of the report in the coming days. Both MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) and Toronto FC will reserve any further comment until the review process is complete,» Toronto FC said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.