PARIS — A Canadian football staff member was caught flying a drone during a training session in New Zealand earlier this week as the two teams prepared to face off here on the opening day of the 2024 women’s Olympic football competition.
The Canadian Olympic Committee acknowledged in a statement Wednesday that “an unaccredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was arrested by French authorities” following the incident.
COC said the employee allegedly used the drone to film the New Zealand women’s football team during training.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee previously said in a statement that when they saw the drone, “members of the support team immediately reported the incident to police.”
French authorities are on high alert this week ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony, an open-air spectacle on the Seine River. For security reasons, they have strictly banned the use of drones in and around sports venues across France. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Tuesday that authorities were intercepting an average of six drones each day.
“There is a system that allows us to stop (the drone) very quickly and catch the operator,” Atal said. “We can’t let anything slip through.”
Atal said he shot down drones flown by tourists, possibly unaware of the restrictions.
What they probably didn’t expect was that the reigning women’s Olympic soccer champion would need the police before playing an underdog.
Canada wins gold in Tokyo. They begin their title defense Thursday in Saint-Étienne, a few hours south of Paris, against New Zealand, the least favored team in a four-team group that also includes France and Colombia.
Canada and New Zealand practiced in the area before the opening match. After reporting the drone to police, the NZOC also said it filed a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee and “requested a full review by Canada.”
The IOC declined to comment and did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. It is unclear whether Canada could face sanctions.
The Canadian Olympic Committee said it was “shocked and disappointed” after learning of the incident.
“We sincerely apologise to New Zealand football, all affected players and the New Zealand Olympic Committee,” the COC said in a statement. “We are reviewing next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer and FIFA (football’s world governing body). We will provide an update later (Wednesday).
“Social media fanatic. Problem solver. Bacon ninja. Communicator. Alcohol evangelist.”
