Canada Olympic football team sack coaches after using drone to spy on rivals
The Canadian women’s football team have sacked two members of staff after they were accused of using a drone to ‘spy’ on New Zealand’s team ahead of the Paris Olympics.
On Tuesday, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) claimed that a drone caught flying over and filming their training camp belonged to a member of Canada’s side.
Defending Olympic champions Canada play New Zealand in their opening group game of Paris 2024 on Thursday afternoon.
The NZOC, who said they were ‘deeply shocked and disappointed’, reported the incident to the police and said that the member of staff had been ‘detained’.
In response, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) issued a statement promising to look into the accusations before a issuing an update on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that they had sent two staff members home over the incident.
It reads: ‘Following its review of the July 22 drone incident in Saint-Étienne, and upon learning of a second drone incident at a July 19th New Zealand practice, the Canadian Olympic Committee has imposed the following sanctions and consequences:
‘1. Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.
‘2. Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi report sent, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.
‘3. COC has accepted the decision of Head Coach Bev Priestman to remove herself from coaching the match against New Zealand on July 25th.
‘4. Canada Soccer staff will undergo mandatory ethics training.
‘The COC is in contact with the IOC [International Olympic Comittee] and in contact with FIFA. Canada Soccer has been transparent and cooperative throughout the process. The COC will continue to review this matter and may take further action if necessary.’
Additionally, Priestman, formerly assistant manager of the Lionesses, issued her own statement: ‘On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada.
‘This does not represent the values that our team stands for. 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.’
Following their clash with New Zealand, Canada will play hosts France on Sunday and then Colombia next Wednesday as they bid for Gold again.