Canadian arrested after drone flies over New Zealand training ground

“We offer our sincere apologies to New Zealand, all the players involved and the New Zealand Olympic Committee,” the Canadian Olympic Committee said in a statement Wednesday, July 24, following Tuesday’s public review. The person who piloted the drone was an unaccredited member of the Canadian team, according to the press release from the Canadian committee, which is in contact with the International Olympic Committee and FIFA to determine what action to take.

The Canadians, the Olympic champions, face New Zealand on Thursday at 5 p.m. in their first group match, before meeting France on Sunday.

Police arrest drone operator

The New Zealand Olympic Committee said team members reported the incident to police and the drone operator was arrested. “Team members immediately reported the incident to police, which led to the arrest of the drone operator, who has been identified as a member of the Canadian women’s soccer team support staff,” the NZOC said, while asking Canada to conduct a “full review of the situation.”

The press release continued: “The New Zealand Olympic Committee and New Zealand Football are committed to the integrity and honesty of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the teams were due to play each other.”

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With AFP