PARIS: The Canadian women’s football team assistant coach and an analyst have been kicked out of the Olympic squad after New Zealand said its team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of their Group ‘A’ opponents, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said on Wednesday.

Head coach Bev Priestman has also removed herself from coaching the team against New Zealand in Group ‘A’ on Thursday, the COC added.

“Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,” COC said. “Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi reports to, is also being removed and will be sent home immediately.”

Priestman apologised for the offence. “On behalf of our team, I first and foremost want to apologise to the New Zealand’s players and staff and to the players on Team Canada.”

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024