Two members of the Canadian women’s national soccer team at the Olympics have been sent home after New Zealand complained that a drone was being used to spy on their training.
New Zealand team staff spotted a drone flying over their training session in St Etienne on Monday.
When he reported it to the police, the operator was identified as a support staff member of the Canadian team. The person was arrested by the French police.
The Canadian Olympic Committee later confirmed that assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were removed from the team following the incident.
Head coach Bev Priestman also stepped down as coach of the team against New Zealand.
Two Canadian soccer coaches expelled from Olympics over drone spying
The Football Ferns (pictured) saw a drone flying over their training session on Monday
Head coach Bev Priestman has stepped down as coach of the team against New Zealand
Canada are the reigning Olympic champions and New Zealand’s first opponent at the Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday.
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.’
Priestman apologized for the transgression.
“On behalf of our entire team, I would first like to apologize to the players and staff of New Zealand Football and to the players of Team Canada,” she said.
“This does not represent the values our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for the behavior in our program.”