Paris Olympics 2024: Canadian football staffer detained by police after drone spying allegations

The head coach of one of the leading contenders for a women’s football medal has stepped down after two of her staff were detained by police over the use of a drone to spy on rivals.

Olympic football spy drama art

Canadian women’s football coach Bev Priestman won’t take charge for their opening match against New Zealand following a bizarre spying scandal.

An non-accredited Canadian staff member used a drone twice to spy on the New Zealand national team’s training sessions in St Etienne this week.

New Zealand reported the matter to the IOC and police detained the alleged staffer controlling the drone.

Preistman, who coached the Canadian team to their gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, apologised on behalf of the team.

“ I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” Priestman said in a statement.

Withdrawn... Canada head coach Bev Priestman. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday two staff members had been sent home over the incident.

Unaccredited analyst Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander have been removed from the team and sent back to Canada, with further sanctions expected.

Canada is due to play New Zealand at 1am on Friday morning (AEST).

Mander’s brother Amar Mander is a physio with the NZ team.

The drone was initially spotted by the Ferns who complained which led to the operator being detained by police.

The Canadian Olympic committee issued a statement following the incident.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for the fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed,” the statement said.

“We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

Canada players celebrate a goal during a match in April. Picture: Alex Slitz/Getty Images

“Canada soccer is working closely and cooperatively with the Canadian Olympic Committee on the matter involving the women’s national team.”

The statement said the matter was being reviewed by the IOC.

New Zealand chef de mission Nigel Avery said the Kiwis were distressed at the incident.

“We’re shocked and this is an incident that goes against everything we stand for,” Avery told media in Paris.

“This is not a topic we want to be talking about.

“They (Football Ferns) haven’t had a smooth build-up and this is something they have to overcome.

“To say it’s an unwanted distraction is an understatement.”

Avery said the New Zealand Olympic Committee had been working with the Canada Olympic Committee who told him they were “shocked and deeply embarrassed”.

Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Canadian football staffer detained by police after drone spying allegations