Vincent Frank
The 2024 Summer Olympics could be embroiled in controversy even before Opening Ceremonies are set to officially kick things off from Paris on Friday.
It involves Canada and New Zealand. It involves another potential Spygate scandal. And it could have wide-ranging implications on soccer during the world’s biggest international event.
Let us explain.
The Canadian Olympic Committee announced the removal of two team members on Wednesday that are associated with the alleged spying on New Zealand’s women’s soccer team.
“Joseph Lombardi, who the COC describes as an uncredited analyst working for Canada Soccer, and assistant coach Jasmine Mander were removed from the team and sent home,” the National Post reported on Wednesday. “Coach Bev Priestman also removed herself from taking part Thursday’s game against New Zealand.”
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2024 Summer Olympics: Canadian Soccer Team Under Investigation
FIFA announced that it is investigating Canada Soccer under its disciplinary code. It was first reported on Tuesday that members of the country’s support team were detained by French police for allegedly using a drone to record the New Zealend’s women’s team practice.
“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada. This does not represent the values that our team stands for,” Canadian head coach Bev Priestman said in a statement. “I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program. Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday.”
As most of you already know, a similar situation unfolded in the NFL back in 2007 when New England Patriots coaches were caught taping opposing teams’ signals during games under then-head coach Bill Belichick. He was fined $500,000 while the Patriots were docked a first-round pick.
As for Canada, they are set to open the 2024 Summer Olympics against New Zealand.