Bev Priestman, Ex-Canada, Signed by Wellington Phoenix After Espionage Scandal

Bev Priestman, former Canada coach, will lead Wellington Phoenix

Canadian coach Bev Priestman, suspended for her involvement in a drone espionage scandal at the Paris Olympics, has been hired as the head coach of the Wellington Phoenix, the only professional women’s team in New Zealand. Priestman, who recently completed a one-year suspension from all football-related activity, signed a two-year contract with the Wellington Phoenix in the capital of New Zealand. This appointment marks an unexpected turn for Priestman, who was suspended after a FIFA investigation revealed that she and other members of the coaching staff had used drones to spy on the New Zealand women’s national team before Canada’s first match at the Paris Olympics. She was fired as the head coach of Canada after a review conducted by the Canadian Soccer Association.

We are very happy to welcome Bev back to football. We all know that she has had some time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and are very comfortable with this appointment.

Rob Morrison, president of Phoenix

Priestman led Canada to the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and has coached in four Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Games, and three FIFA Youth World Cups. Previously, she also worked in New Zealand, in coach development in Wellington and then as the development director of the New Zealand Football Federation. In a statement, Priestman thanked the club and officials for “giving me this opportunity to return to the game I love and, hopefully, bring special moments not only to this city, but to this country.” Phoenix “is a fantastic club with great ambitions, world-class facilities and a phenomenal fan base,” he said. “We have the responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special.” The Wellington Phoenix plays in Australia’s top women’s category, the A-League Women, and Priestman is aiming for the title. “There will be hunger and desire because we know we want to achieve a milestone for this club and for that something special will be needed,” he said in the club’s statement. Stephen Conroy, chairman of the Professional Leagues of Australia, said that the hiring of Priestman was a “fantastic endorsement” for the competition. “Bev is a world-renowned coach and Olympic champion,” Conroy said. “And her experience and knowledge will be a great boost to the promising Phoenix team.”