Canada Olympic chiefs apologize for drone flight over New Zealand soccer team’s training
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) acknowledged that “a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities” after a complaint was made by New Zealand Football.
Defending Olympic champions Canada are set to play New Zealand on Thursday in a group-stage game.
New Zealand’s team spotted the drone flying overhead Monday during their training session in Saint-Étienne, a city 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of the French capital, where the match will be played.
In its statement, the COC said it “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 (International Olympic Committee), Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA.”
The NZOC said it was “deeply shocked and disappointed.”
“Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian women’s football team, to be detained,” it said in a statement.
“The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review. Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Canada Soccer spokesperson Paulo Senra told CNN his federation “is working closely and cooperatively with the Canadian Olympic Committee on the matter involving the Women’s National Team.”
New Zealand Football, soccer’s world governing body FIFA, the IOC and Paris 2024 have not replied to CNN’s requests for more information.
Despite being defending Olympic champions in football, Canada's actions during a training session in Saint-Etienne caused controversy. A drone, allegedly operated by a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team, was spotted flying over New Zealand's training session, leading to the team's support staff member's detainment by French authorities.
