A Canada Soccer analyst and assistant coach will be removed from the Canadian Olympic team and “sent home immediately” ahead of this year's Paris Games, according to the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC).

In a statement released Wednesday, the COC announced that Joseph Lombardi, whom it called an “unaccredited Canada Soccer analyst,” and assistant coach Jasmine Mander have been “removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.”

The COC also said it was in contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA, and had been transparent and cooperative throughout the process, adding that further steps could be taken as the review of the incident continued.

On Tuesday, the COC released a brief statement acknowledging that an “unaccredited member of the Canada Soccer support team” had been arrested by local authorities in Saint-Étienne, a small town located 400 kilometers south of Paris, near Lyon, in France.

“The staff member allegedly used a drone to film the New Zealand women's football team during training,” the statement above reads, acknowledging that the competing team had filed a complaint two days earlier, on July 22.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play and we are shocked and disappointed,” the COC said.

The COC's statements echo a July 23 statement from the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC). announcing the official complaint to the IOC Integrity Unit.

“NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the parties meet in their opening match at Paris 2024,” the statement read.

Head coach sidelined

As part of the measures announced to address the incident, the Canadian team coach will withdraw from the upcoming match against New Zealand on Thursday morning, Paris time.

“On behalf of our entire team, I would first and foremost like to apologize to the players and staff of New Zealand Football and the players of Team Canada. This does not represent the values ​​that our team stands for,” Bev Priestman, head coach of Canada's women's national soccer team, said in a statement.

“I am ultimately responsible for the conduct of our program. Accordingly, to underscore our team's commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from Thursday's game. “In the spirit of responsibility, I do so with the best interests of both teams in mind and to ensure that everyone feels the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”

In addition, Canada Soccer staff will receive mandatory ethics training, the COC said.

“The actions of those involved do not reflect the values ​​of Canada or the values ​​of sport,” Carla Qualtrough, Canada's Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, wrote in a message on X on Wednesday.

“I support the sanctions imposed by the Canadian Olympic Committee, its apology to New Zealand and the decision of head coach Bev Priestman… These decisive actions will help ensure that individuals are held accountable and preserve the integrity of the game and fair play for all athletes.”

Family circumstances

This week's incident is not the first time suspicions of surveillance have clouded a Canadian game.

In 2021, the Honduras men's football team visited Toronto for the two countries' meeting. 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying MatchBefore the game, the visiting team held a practice session that was abruptly interrupted after a drone was spotted flying over the field, according to the Associated Press, citing Honduran media.

“I imagine there's probably a lot of people in Canada who fly drones, I'm sure… And when a big team like Honduras comes along, I'm sure people are probably interested in what they do when they come to our country.” John Herdman, then Canada's coach, was quoted in a report released the day before the game.

“So I'm sure we won't be going to people's countries too soon, because with today's drones, people can obviously capture images. “You have to be very careful.”

The 2021 men's qualifiers ended in a 1-1 draw and Canada advanced to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 36 yearsThe team was then eliminated in the group stage of the tournament, losing to Morocco, Croatia and Belgium.

The Canadian and New Zealand women's soccer teams will meet on Thursday at 11 a.m. Central European Time (5 a.m. EDT) for their opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games tournament.

Potential punishment

With the Olympics starting this week, Canada Soccer's punishment could be announced in the coming days. As for the use of drones as a means of cheating, Mount Allison University women's soccer coach Derek O'Keeffe says it could be a learning experience.

“I think it’s important that as coaches, staff and directors, you educate your staff in terms of the use of drones and, of course, the use of sport and fair play,” O’Keeffe said. “We educate our coaches on all those things related to fair play, sportsmanship and honesty.”

Football journalist John Molinaro says expulsion from the tournament would not fit the crime.

“I think kicking Canada out of the tournament would be an extreme measure and I don't think that's going to happen,” Molinaro said, adding that Priestman could be suspended or financial sanctions could be imposed on Canada Soccer.

“I don't think we've heard or seen the end of this.”

Costa Elles, a former professional football player and coach from Nova Scotia, says spying on practice can definitely give a team an advantage.

“I think you'll be able to handle the pressure and hopefully they'll recover from it, but it doesn't make them feel good walking out on a field and getting ready to compete.”

With files from CTV National News reporter Paul Hollingsworth.