Drone spying scandal involving Matildas rival erupts at the Paris Olympics as French police detain suspect
- Kiwi team spots drone apparently spying on their training session
- Drone was operated by personnel from the Canadian Olympic soccer team
- The New Zealand Olympic team has filed a complaint with the IOC
The New Zealand Olympic team has filed a complaint with the IOC after discovering a drone belonging to soccer rivals Canada that appeared to be spying on their training.
Staff from the New Zealand women’s football team, the Football Ferns, spotted a drone flying over their training session in St Etienne on Monday.
When police were notified, it turned out to be a support staff member of the Canadian women’s national team.
The person was arrested by the French police.
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions and New Zealand’s first opponent at the Olympic Games in Paris on Friday morning (AEST).
Both Canada and New Zealand are two of Australia’s biggest rivals in women’s football.
The New Zealand Olympic football team has filed a complaint with the IOC after discovering a drone belonging to soccer rivals Canada apparently spying on their training session
The Football Ferns (pictured) saw a drone flying over their training session on Monday
A statement from the New Zealand Olympic Committee said it was “deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident” and wanted answers.
“The NZOC has formally submitted the incident to the IOC Integrity Unit and has asked Canada for a full investigation,” the statement said.
‘The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to safeguarding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games.’
In their own statement, Team Canada apologized and said they had launched their own investigation into an “unaccredited member of the Canadian Soccer Support Team.”
“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play and we are shocked and disappointed,” the text read.
‘We offer our sincere apologies to New Zealand Football, to all players affected and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.’
Team Canada has apologized for the incident and launched its own investigation
The Canadian Olympic Committee is consulting with Canada Soccer, the IOC, the Paris Games Organizing Committee and FIFA on next steps following the incident.
New Zealand and Canada will kick off this year’s Olympic women’s soccer tournament at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. This incident makes the clash seem more like a revenge match.