Canadian Olympic chiefs have issued an apology following an incident where a member of the women's soccer team support staff allegedly flew a drone over a New Zealand team training session. The incident occurred just three days before the two teams are scheduled to face each other at the Paris Games.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed that a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities after New Zealand Football lodged a complaint.
The defending Olympic champions, Canada, are slated to play against New Zealand in a group-stage game on Thursday.
New Zealand's team noticed the drone flying overhead during their training session in Saint-Étienne, a city located 400 kilometers south of Paris, where the match is set to take place.
In response to the incident, the COC expressed its commitment to fair play and conveyed its shock and disappointment. The committee extended heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, the affected players, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee. They are currently collaborating with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA to determine the next steps.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) also expressed deep shock and disappointment over the incident. The NZOC promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to the detention of the drone operator, identified as a support staff member of the Canadian women's football team. The NZOC has lodged a formal complaint with the IOC integrity unit and has requested Canada to conduct a thorough review of the situation.
A spokesperson for Canada Soccer stated that they are working closely with the Canadian Olympic Committee to address the matter involving the Women's National Team.
As of now, New Zealand Football, FIFA, the IOC, and Paris 2024 have not responded to requests for further information regarding the incident.
