A Canadian football analyst and an assistant coach have been removed from the Canadian Olympic team and “immediately sent home” following the lead-up to 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 had been “removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and immediately sent home.”

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 confirming that “an unaccredited member of a Canada Soccer support team” was arrested by local authorities in Saint-Étienne, a small town located 400 kilometers south of Paris, near Lyon, in France.

“It is alleged that an employee used a drone to record the performance of the New Zealand women's national football team during training,” an earlier statement said, confirming that the rival team had filed a complaint two days earlier, on July 22.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee supports the principle of fair play, which is why we are shocked and disappointed,” the COC said.

The COC's statements follow a July 23 announcement by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC). announce an official complaint to the IOC Integrity Unit.

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

The head coach has retired

As part of the actions announced to deal with the incident, the Canadian coach will miss the match against New Zealand on Thursday morning, Paris time.

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

“Ultimately, I am responsible for the delivery of our program. Therefore, to underscore our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from practice for Thursday’s game. “In the spirit of responsibility, I am doing this in the best interest of both teams and to ensure that everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game has been maintained.”

The COC said that in addition, Canada Soccer staff will receive mandatory ethics training.

“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 coach Bev Priestman… These decisive actions will help ensure that individuals are held accountable and maintain the integrity of the game and fair play for all athletes.”

Fair play is the highest principle of sport.

The actions of those involved do not reflect Canadian values ​​or the values ​​of sport.

I am in contact with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer.

– Carla Qualtrough (@CQualtro)
July 24, 2024“/>

Known circumstances

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

In 2021, the Honduras men's soccer team traveled to Toronto for a match between the two countries. 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match. As reported by the Associated Press, citing Honduran media, the visiting team held a pre-match training session, which was abruptly interrupted after a drone was spotted flying over the playing field.

“I imagine there’s probably going to be a lot of people flying drones in Canada, I’m sure… And when you have a big team like Honduras coming along, I’m sure people are probably interested in what they’re doing when they come to our country.” In a report released the day before the game, John Herdman, then the Canadian coach, was quoted as saying.

“So I'm sure we won't go too early to the countries where people live, because now with drones people can obviously capture images. “You have to be very careful.”

He The 2021 men's qualifiers ended in a 1-1 drawand Canada went further Qualified 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 face off on Thursday at 11 a.m. CET (5 a.m. EDT) in the opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Potential penalty

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

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

Football journalist John Molinaro says being banned from the tournament is not a crime.

“I think kicking Canada out of the tournament would be an extreme measure and I can't imagine that happening,” 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.”

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

“I think you can handle the pressure and I hope they can handle it, but it doesn't make them feel good about going out and getting ready to compete.”

With files from CTV National News reporter Paul Hollingsworth