The Canadian Olympic Committee has confirmed the removal of two staff after the soccer drone incident , as head coach Bev Priestman steps down from the New Zealand match.
A statement was released by the COC regarding the incident, which saw Priestman removing herself from the match vs New Zealand. As well, Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst and assistant coach Jasmine Mander will be sent home immediately.
The release stated: “Following its review of the July 22 drone incident in Saint-Étienne, and upon learning of a second drone incident at a July 19th New Zealand practice, the Canadian Olympic Committee has imposed the following sanctions and consequences:
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1. Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.
2. Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi report sent, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.
3. COC has accepted the decision of Head Coach Bev Priestman to remove herself from coaching the match against New Zealand on July 25th.
4. Canada Soccer staff will undergo mandatory ethics training.
“The COC is in contact with the IOC and in contact with FIFA. Canada Soccer has been transparent and cooperative throughout the process. The COC will continue to review this matter and may take further action if necessary.”
Priestman also commented on the situation, saying: “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. This does not represent the values that our team stands for.
“I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”
The incident occurred in Saint-Etienne, where Canada and New Zealand will meet in the opening match of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, when a drone was flown over a New Zealand training session.
New Zealand team members reported the incident to police and the drone operator was subsequently arrested. "Team members immediately reported the incident to police, which led to the arrest of the drone operator, who was identified as a member of the Canadian women's football team support staff," the New Zealand Olympic Committee said.
"NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the two teams were due to compete."
Canada and New Zealand kick-off the tournament on Thursday at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The other game in Group A sees hosts France take on Colombia later on Thursday in Lyon.
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