(Paris) The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) says an “unaccredited” member of Canada Soccer’s performance analysis team has been arrested by French authorities in Saint-Étienne for allegedly using a drone to film the New Zealand women’s soccer team’s training.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (CONZ) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that members of its soccer team’s support staff alerted police when they spotted the drone.
The organization said it had filed a complaint with the integrity unit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and asked Canada for a full review.
The COC said it was “both shocked and disappointed” by the allegation in a statement released Tuesday and apologized.
“The COC stands for sportsmanship and we are shocked and disappointed,” it reads. “We offer our sincere apologies to the [soccer] New Zealand, to all affected players and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”
Canada, the reigning Olympic champion in women’s soccer, is due to open its tournament against New Zealand on Friday in Saint-Étienne.
The COC added that it would review next steps with the IOC, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer and FIFA. An update will be released on Wednesday.
“Canada Soccer is working closely with the COC on the situation involving the women’s national team,” Canada Soccer chief communications officer Paulo Senra said in a statement. “Next steps are being reviewed with the IOC, Paris 2024 and FIFA. We will provide an update [mercredi]. »
French security authorities for the Olympics are intercepting an average of six drones per day, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said.
Mr. Attal added that drones are often used by “individuals, perhaps tourists wanting to take pictures.”
“That’s why it’s important to remind people of the rules. There is a ban on flying drones,” he said, according to multiple media reports.
“Systems are in place to allow us to intercept very quickly [les drones] and arrest their operators.”