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Sep 2, 2022 8:58 PM - The Canadian Press

Former Whitecaps women's coach to apologize in court for sex offences: Lawyer

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A former coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian national youth soccer teams is expected to make a public apology today in court for sex crimes.

Bob Birarda pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching for offences involving four soccer players who were under 18 at the time of the incidents between 1988 and 2008.

His lawyer Bill Smart told a sentencing hearing in provincial court in North Vancouver that the former coach, who was dismissed by both the Whitecaps and Canada Soccer in 2008, will make a statement today.

Smart is arguing Birarda should face a total one-year sentence, consisting of eight months in jail and a four-month conditional sentence order, while the Crown has recommended two years less a day, a cumulative sentence for the offences, plus three years' probation.

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