On the eve of Paris 2024 Olympic GamesThe Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced that assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi of the women’s soccer team have been expelled from the country’s commission.

The decision was made after New Zealand reported that the team’s training last Tuesday (23) was interrupted by the invasion of a “spy” drone.

The New Zealand committee quickly complained about the incident to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the matter was referred to local police for investigation. It was concluded that the project had been led by a member of the Canadian commission.

New Zealand also requested action by Team Canada. The latter, in turn, presented his formal apologies and promised to investigate the matter internally.

In addition to the expulsions, the North American country’s Olympic Committee said coach Bev Priestman would not lead the team in its first Olympic match.

“I am ultimately responsible for the leadership of our team. To underline the team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily step down from command of Thursday’s match,” the coach said.

Canada and New Zealand will face each other on Thursday (24), at 12 p.m. (Brasilia time), in Group A of the women’s football tournament.

Consult the note from the Canadian Olympic Committee

The Canadian Olympic Committee has been informed that an unaccredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was arrested by French authorities in Saint-Étienne following a tip from New Zealand Soccer on July 22. The employee allegedly used a drone to record the New Zealand women’s soccer team during training. The Canadian Olympic Committee advocates fair play and we are shocked and disappointed. We sincerely apologize to New Zealand Football, all players affected and the New Zealand Olympic Committee.