Former England coach caught up in drone spying scandal at Olympics as two Canada staff sent home after police alerted
Canada Women's football head coach Beverly Priestman will not take charge of their opening Olympics match against New Zealand as a spying scandal erupted in Paris.
A member of Canada's support team was detained by French authorities and two staff have subsequently been sent home amid claims a drone was used to spy on their opponents in training.
Canada, the defending champions from Tokyo, are due to play New Zealand in their opening Group A game in St Etienne on Thursday.
Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, have been sent home after a drone was alleged to have recorded New Zealand training sessions on two separate occasions.
Head coach Priestman, who worked as Phil Neville's assistant to the Lionesses from 2018 to 2020, has taken responsibility and voluntarily withdrawn herself as head coach from the match.
"I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for,” Priestman said.
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“I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program."
The COC further revealed that a 'non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team' was detained by authorities.
A statement read: "The Canadian Olympic Committee was made aware that a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities in Saint-Etienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22nd.
"The staff member is believed to have been using a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team during practice.
"The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
"We are reviewing next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA. We will provide an update later today (July 24th)."
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The New Zealand Olympic Committee were left 'deeply shocked' by the incident and reported it to the police.
“The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review" a statement read.
"Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
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