Two Members Of Team Canada Sent Home From Olympics After Drone Incident
The Canadian women's soccer team has faced major disruptions just days before their opening match at the Paris 2024 Olympics against New Zealand.
Two members of the Canadian team's staff, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were sent home after an incident involving a drone flying over New Zealand’s training session. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed that Lombardi, who is not accredited, was responsible for operating the drone.
Head coach Bev Priestman also decided to step back from coaching the match against New Zealand. "I first and foremost want to apologise to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada," Priestman said. "This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program."
The incident, which occurred on Monday in Saint-Étienne, led to a formal complaint by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) integrity unit. New Zealand Football expressed its disappointment and shock over the event, stressing the importance of maintaining integrity and fairness in the Olympics.
"The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games," the NZOC said in a statement.
Incident Reported To IOC
The New Zealand team was quick to report the drone sighting, which they noticed during their training session. The NZOC has asked for a full review from Canada regarding the incident.
Following the incident, Lombardi was detained by French authorities, and both he and Mander were immediately removed from the Olympic squad. The COC expressed its dismay in a statement, emphasising their commitment to fair play. "We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee," the COC said.
This disruption comes at a critical time for both teams as they prepare for their opening match. The Canadian team, who are defending Olympic champions, now face additional challenges as they move forward without their head coach and two key staff members. New Zealand’s priority remains to support their athletes as they start their campaign.
Canada Soccer is cooperating with the COC and other relevant bodies to address the incident. "We are reviewing next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA," the COC added. The organisation stressed that it stands for fair play and is committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport.
