Disgraced former Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman said she didn’t “feel safe living in North America”following her one-year ban from the Paris Olympics, where she was suspended by FIFA for her role in a drone spying scandal.This week, her ban ended, and she has signed a two-year deal to be the new head coach of the Wellington Phoenix FC women's team in the A-League in New Zealand.“We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,” Wellington chairman Rob Morrison said. "We all know she’s had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances, and we’re really comfortable with this appointment."Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix.”Priestman said her relocation to New Zealand with her spouse Emma Humphries — who is Wellington’s academy director and a former New Zealand international — helped her get out of the spotlight and escape the backlash from the scandal..CANADA’S SHAME: Women’s soccer team caught spying on Kiwis ahead of Paris 2024.“It was very difficult,” Priestman said during her introductory press conference.“I didn’t leave my house for a month in Canada... For me, I didn’t feel safe. That’s being brutally honest. I think it was very difficult for my family, and you know, I have to live with that. I have to weigh that.”Priestman, her assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joey Lombardi were all handed one-year suspensions by FIFA — soccer’s world governing body — last July after the Canadian team was caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s training sessions before the two sides played each other at the Paris Olympics.The Kiwis spotted the drones flying over their sessions and reported them to officials. An investigation later found Canada had been spying on other teams’ training sessions for some time.In their investigation, FIFA found Priestman and her staff discussed the use of drones for spying on opponents in the months before the Olympics and had written in an email, “there is a whole operation on the men’s side with regards to it.”The team had been warned on three occasions in the weeks leading up to the opening ceremony that drone use was prohibited at the Games..Canada Soccer CEO admits men’s team also spies via drones, as women’s head coach sent home from Games.When asked, Priestman informed reporters that she was prevented from speaking about the drone scandal due to the ongoing legal situation.She did, however, say that she had learned from the ban and her experience with Canada, stating that she would be a “better coach for it.”Priestman has previous ties to the Phoenix — she headed up coach development for the club 16 years ago.“I’m thrilled to have signed with the Wellington Phoenix,” she said.“It’s a fantastic club with big ambitions, world-class facilities, and a phenomenal fan base. I can’t wait to get to work, connect with everyone in the building, and get to know our amazing fans.”Priestman led Canada to Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is currently the best-credentialed coach to come to the women’s A-League.
