New Zealand has filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) integrity unit following an incident where a drone was spotted over the New Zealand women’s football team’s training session. The drone was reportedly operated by a member of the Canadian team’s support staff.
The incident occurred earlier this week as the defending Olympic champions, Canada, are set to face New Zealand in their opening match on Thursday. According to the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), the drone sighting was immediately reported to the police. The drone operator, identified as a member of the Canadian women’s football team’s support staff, was detained.
The NZOC has formally lodged the complaint with the IOC integrity unit and requested comprehensive review from the Canadian side.
In response, the Canadian Olympic Committee issued an apology to both the NZOC and New Zealand Football. The statement read, “The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play, and we are shocked and disappointed by this incident. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, all the affected players, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”
The NZOC emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games, stating that their primary focus is now on supporting the New Zealand women’s football team as they begin their campaign.
This isn’t the first time Canadian football teams have been involved in a drone-related controversy. In 2021, during a men’s World Cup qualifier in Toronto, Honduras halted their training session after drone was spotted overhead. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
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