Jakarta (ANTARA) – Two staff members of the Canadian women’s soccer team, namely assistant coach Jasmine Mander and tactical analyst Joey Lombardi, have been sent home from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a case of “surveillance” using a drone at the opposing team’s training location.
Joey Lombardi was even sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison sentence for flying a drone during New Zealand national team training at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Étienne this week.
AFP reported on Thursday that Lombardi pleaded guilty during his trial at the Saint-Etienne court on Wednesday (24/7).
Canadian women’s national team head coach Beverly Priestman said the two individuals have been removed from the coaching staff list so they will not be able to attend Canada’s game against New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium on Thursday night.
Priestman said the two men did not deserve to be on the coaching bench for the match against New Zealand.
“On behalf of our entire team, I would first like to apologise to the players and staff of Team New Zealand and the players of Team Canada,” Priestman said.
“This is not in line with the values that our team stands for,” he said.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is coordinating with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA to decide on further action regarding this incident.
The COC even felt “shocked and disappointed” and therefore decided to thoroughly investigate the drone flight incident.
“The COC has been in contact with the IOC and FIFA. Canada Soccer has been transparent and cooperative throughout the process,” the COC said.
“We sincerely apologize to New Zealand Soccer, all affected players and the New Zealand Olympic Committee,” the Canadian Olympic Committee said.
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