Canada Women's Soccer Team member suspended from Paris 2024 Olympics

The Olympic women's football team from Canada is in disarray after it was revealed that drones have been employed to spy on their rivals, leaving authorities "shocked and disappointed." Two members of the women's team have been "sent home immediately" as collateral damage, and the team's coach won't be present when Canada plays New Zealand during their Olympic debut on Thursday.

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced on Wednesday that a "non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team" had been taken into custody for inappropriate use of a drone by French authorities in Saint-Étienne, a city located 250 miles south of Paris. The arrest comes after another incident where training sessions in New Zealand were recorded using a drone.

Bev Priestman, the head coach who guided the Canadian team towards gold in Tokyo three years prior, stated she would willingly "step aside" for the opening game but denied having any part in the scheme.

She spoke to the media after one of the team’s practice sessions as she said, “Irrespective of the details, I’m ultimately accountable for this team,” Priestman said on Wednesday afternoon following a team practice. “By no means did I direct the individuals … I’m still learning the details and obviously this is all unfolding. But again, I think the important thing right now is to look forward, put the actions in place and take the sanctions.”

What action is FIFA going to take against the Canada Soccer Team?

In light of the allegations, Fifa's disciplinary committee is currently pursuing legal action versus Canada Soccer and a number of people, including Priestman. Employees of the football team have been "transparent and cooperative throughout the process," according to the COC. 

The defending champions will be led by their assistant coach Andy Spence as they take on New Zealand. The IOC received a shocking report from the New Zealand Olympic Committee stating that there had been two instances of suspicious drones flying over team workouts.