2024 Paris Olympics: Canada Women's Football Sends Home Two Staff over Spying Incident
Translator
Editor
25 July 2024 14:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two staff members of the Canadian women's football team, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and “unaccredited analyst” Joey Lombardi were sent home from the 2024 Paris Olympics after spying opposing team’s training location using drones.
Joey Lombardi was also given a suspended eight months in prison for flying a drone during a New Zealand national team training session at Saint-Étienne's Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium this week.
AFP reported on Thursday, July 25, 2024, that Lombardi had pleaded guilty when he appeared at the Saint-Etienne court on Wednesday, July 24.
The head coach of the Canadian women's national team, Beverly Priestman, said the two people had been removed from the coaching staff list so they would not attend the match between Canada and New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium on Thursday night.
Priestman said the two people did not deserve to be on the coaching bench during the match against New Zealand.
"On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada," she said. "This does not represent the values that our team stands for.
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" so it would investigate the drone incident thoroughly.
“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 offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee," the Canadian Olympic Committee said in a statement.
ANTARA
Editor’s Choice: 2024 Paris Olympic: Judo Athlete Maryam March Maharani Appointed as Indonesia's Flag Bearer
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
