Two Canadian women’s soccer team staff members have been sent home amid allegations of spying on New Zealand team soccer practice with drone on the eve of the 2024 Olympics.
Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander are the two staff members who have been officially removed from the team according to a Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) media statement.
In an initial press release COC said, “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-Étienne 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 COC said that it would provide update after reviewing next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer, and FIFA.
The COC informed later, “Following its review of the July 22 drone incident in Saint-Étienne, and upon learning of a second drone incident at a July 19th New Zealand practice, the Canadian Olympic Committee has imposed the following sanctions and consequences Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately. Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi report sent, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,” the release said.
The statement also said that COC has accepted the decision of Head Coach Bev Priestman to remove herself from coaching the match against New Zealand on July 25th. Also Canada Soccer staff will undergo mandatory ethics training.
Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach Bev Priestman said in a statement: “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,” Priestman said. “I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”
Soccer coach Jasmin Mander along with other staff sent home from Paris Olympics after drone scandal
