Canada's women's soccer team sends two staff members home after drone scandal

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Canada's women's soccer team has been sanctioned by the Canadian Olympics Committee following a drone spying scandal. 

The assistant head coach and an analyst for the team were sent home from France on Wednesday after the committee reviewed a complaint from New Zealand's team, accusing the Canadian team support staff of flying a drone during their training session earlier this week.

“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize 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,” Canada's head coach Bev Priestman said in a statement. “I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. 

Priestman voluntarily removed herself from the opening match on Thursday, where the defending Olympic champions were to play against New Zealand. Additionally, the Canadian soccer team will undergo a "mandatory ethics training," according to Canada's Olympic Committee.

The Canadian Olympic Committee has apologized to the NZOC and New Zealand Football.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for 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.”

The NZOC said it and New Zealand Football “are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games — at this time the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign.”

It's not the first time a Canadian soccer team has been involved in a drone controversy involving an international rival's training session.

In 2021 at Toronto, Honduras stopped a training session ahead of its men's World Cup qualifier against Canada after spotting a drone above the field, according to reports in Honduran media. The teams played to a 1-1 draw.