As Canada prepare to face New Zealand at 16:00 BST on Thursday, an investigation has been launched following a drone sighting over the Black Ferns’ training session in St Étienne on Monday.
The two sides will clash in St Étienne to open the tournament, with France facing Colombia in the other Group A meeting.
Canada claimed the gold medals at the postponed 2020 Olympics in Japan, but were eliminated in the group stages of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bev Priestman’s Canadian side head to France this summer with a balanced squad, albeit without legend Christine Sinclair for the first time following her international retirement.
However, before a ball has been kicked, the Canucks find themselves at the centre of a sporting controversy after a drone flown over a New Zealand training session was revealed to be operated by a support staff member of the Canadian team.
In a statement, the New Zealand Olympic Committee revealed that they have “formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review.”
“Team Canada has issued an apology and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
“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, which occurred just three days before the sides are due to face each other in their opening game of Paris 2024,” the statement continued.
“At this time the NZOC’s main priority is to support the New Zealand women’s football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign.”
The Canadian Olympic committee (COC) made a statement following the incident on the 24th of July, expressing:
“The Canadian Olympic Committee was made aware that a non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team was detained by French authorities in Saint-Étienne following a complaint by New Zealand Football on July 22.
The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”
