Canadian Soccer Coaches Sent Home After Drone Incident

The Canadian women's soccer team's assistant coach and an analyst were removed from the Olympic squad after New Zealand reported a training disruption by a drone flown by Canadian staff. Head coach Bev Priestman has stepped down for their match against New Zealand. The NZOC reported the incident to authorities.

PARIS, July 23 (Reuters) - The assistant coach and an analyst of the Canadian women's soccer team have been expelled from the Olympic squad. This came after New Zealand reported that their training session was disrupted by a drone flown by Canadian staff members, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) confirmed on Wednesday.

The head coach, Bev Priestman, has also opted to step down from coaching the team against New Zealand in their Group A match on Thursday. 'Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,' the COC said in a statement. 'Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi reports to, is also being removed from the team.'

Priestman issued an apology, stating, 'This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday to uphold the sportsmanship of the game.'

The incident, which occurred on Monday, was reported by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) to police and the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit. 'The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident,' the NZOC stated.

'At this time, the main priority is to support the New Zealand women's football athletes as they start their campaign,' the NZOC added.

(With inputs from agencies.)