'Drone Espionage' Canadian Women's Soccer Team, Coach and Analyst Dismissed [Paris Olympics]

Canada Women's Soccer Caught Using Drone for Spying
Coach Takes Responsibility and Decides Not to Lead

The head coach and analyst of the Canadian women's soccer team were ultimately expelled after flying a drone over the training ground of their rival, New Zealand, to spy on tactics. The team’s head coach decided to take responsibility for the incident and will not participate in the match.

On the 24th (local time), the Canadian Olympic Committee issued a statement announcing, "Joseph Lombardi, the women's soccer team’s performance analyst, and Jasmine Mander, the head coach involved in the drone incident, have been expelled," and "they will be sent home immediately." Burberry Priestman, the head coach of the Canadian team, will take responsibility for the incident and will not lead the team in the Group A first match against New Zealand, kicking off at 0:00 KST on the 26th.

Canada won the gold medal in women's soccer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Earlier, the New Zealand team officially protested to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the 22nd, claiming that Canadian team support staff flew a drone during their training. Police, responding to New Zealand’s report, arrested the Canadian soccer team’s performance analyst who was collecting information using the drone.

The Canadian Olympic Committee promptly released a statement saying, "We support fair play and are shocked and disappointed by this incident," and "We sincerely apologize to New Zealand Football, all affected athletes, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee." The New Zealand Olympic Committee also issued a statement expressing "deep shock and disappointment over this incident, which occurred just three days before the opening match of the Paris Olympics."

Coach Priestman apologized for the incident, saying, "I apologize to the New Zealand team players and coaching staff. I also want to express my regret to our team players," and added, "All responsibility lies with me. I will not lead the New Zealand match." The Canadian women's soccer team is the defending champion, having won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They are ranked 8th by FIFA and are a powerhouse with one Olympic championship and two third-place finishes (2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro) in history. Canada and New Zealand compete in Group A of the women's soccer group stage alongside host nation France and Colombia.

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