The New Zealand Olympic Committee and New Zealand Football say they are “deeply shocked” that a member of staff from the Canadian women’s football team flew a drone over one of their training sessions.
A strongly-worded media release this morning stated a Canadian team staff member had been “detained” after the incident was reported to police at St Etienne ahead of the two teams’ first game at the Paris Olympics on Friday.
A formal complaint was made by the NZOC, and Team Canada has apologised, according to the statement.
The statement reads: “On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women's football team training session in St Etienne.
“Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women's football team, to be detained.
“The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review.
“Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The 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 sides are due to face each other in their opening game of Paris 2024.
“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.”
The New Zealand women's team are ranked 28th in the world, 20 places behind Canada.
Canada won gold at the Tokyo Games.
The Football Ferns warmed up for the Olympics with a 1-1 draw against Zambia recently and two defeats to Japan last month.
New Zealand has had a troubled build-up to this Games, with coach Jitka Klimková "opting" to stand down as head coach before re-emerging.
Assistant coach Michael Mayne stood in for Klimková following an employment investigation in May during which she took a leave of absence.
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