A “non-accredited member” of the Canadian women’s soccer team’s support staff was detained by French authorities for allegedly flying a drone over a New Zealand team training session, causing tension ahead of their upcoming Olympic match.
The incident occurred on July 22 in Saint-Étienne, where New Zealand was practicing, approximately 400 kilometers south of Paris.
The Canadian Olympic Committee issued an apology, expressing shock and disappointment over the breach of fair play. They are currently reviewing the situation with various sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, and Paris 2024 organizers.
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New Zealand’s team spotted the drone during their practice and promptly reported it to local police. The New Zealand Olympic Committee has formally lodged a complaint with the IOC integrity unit and requested a full review from Canada.
“The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident,” New Zealand’s Olympic Committee wrote in a statement.
The controversy comes just days before Canada, the defending Olympic champions, are set to face New Zealand in a group-stage match on July 25 in Paris.
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