Reigning Olympic champions Canada have beaten New Zealand 2-1 in their opening women’s soccer match after being caught spying on their opponents.
On Monday, staff from New Zealand’s team noticed a drone flying above their training session in St Etienne, with the the Canadian Olympic Committee later confirming that two coaches had been sent home.
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst, were implicated in the spying while head coach Bev Priestman also removed herself from coaching the team against New Zealand.
Priestman and Canada Soccer are now being investigated by FIFA’s disciplinary committee as well.
Following the COC’s review of the spying incident on Monday, the organization also said it had learned of a ‘second drone incident’ on July 19, according to PA.
Canada beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Olympics – after being caught spying on their opponents
Coach Bev Priestman removed herself from coaching the team vs. New Zealand on Thursday
On Wednesday, the operator of the drone was identified as a supporting staff member of Canada’s team, with the person being detained by French police and also being handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors also said that the drone was seized.
In a previous statement, Canada Soccer president Peter Augruso and CEO/general secretary Kevin Blue condemned the spying and said an independent investigation would take place.
‘On behalf of our federation, we offer our sincere apologies to the impacted players, coaches, and officials,’ they said.
‘Canada Soccer has always sought to prioritize integrity and fair competition, and we understand that competing with honesty is a baseline expectation for all Canadians. We failed to meet those expectations in this case, and for that, we apologize.
‘As an immediate next step, Canada Soccer will proceed with an independent external review. This review will address the circumstances of the current matter, and more broadly, will seek to understand the historical culture of competitive ethics within all of our programs.’
New Zealand staff noticed a drone flying above their training session in St Etienne on Monday
Two Canada team members have been sent home from the Olympics for spying with a drone
A statement issued by the New Zealand Olympic Committee also said they were ‘deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident’ and wanted answers.
‘The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review,’ the statement read.
‘The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games.’
Without Priestman, who apologized and said she was ‘ultimately responsible’ for the team’s conduct, Canada came back from a 1-0 deficit as Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens scored to turn the game around.
They’ll face face France next on Sunday.
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