New Zealand reports Canada Soccer for spying on women's football training at Olympics

By Can Erozden

New Zealand has reported Canada Soccer for a flying drone above its women's football training site at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) was made aware that a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities in Saint-Étienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22nd.

"The staff member is believed to have been using a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team during practice," it said in a statement Wednesday.

The COC said it "stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed." It offered "heartfelt apologies" to the New Zealand football team and its Olympic Committee.

The Canadian Olympic Committee said two Canada Soccer staff have been removed from the Olympic team.

Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer and Jasmine Mander, who serves as an assistant coach, were said to be sent home.

"COC has accepted the decision of Head Coach Bev Priestman to remove herself from coaching the match against New Zealand on July 25th.

"Canada Soccer staff will undergo mandatory ethics training," it added.

"I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld," Priestman said in an apology to New Zealand Football.

The Canadian team will play New Zealand in a Thursday group match at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne.

Paris 2024 will officially start with Friday's opening ceremony on the River Seine.

The football, archery and rugby events have begun before the ceremony.

The Paris Games are being held at 35 venues including Stade de France, Parc des Princes and Stade Roland-Garros throughout France.

Athletes will not only compete in Paris but also at the sports venues around France and its territories.