Canada, the defending Olympic women's soccer champion, has sent home its head coach and power analyst after they were caught spying on the New Zealand women's team's training ground with a drone.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed power analyst Joseph Lombardi and head coach Jasmine Mander from the women's soccer team for their involvement in the drone incident, effective immediately,” the organization announced in a statement on Thursday.

In addition, Canadian head coach Beverly Priestman has been suspended for her role in the incident and will not be in charge of the team's Group A opener against New Zealand on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. ET.

Earlier, the New Zealand team lodged an official complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), alleging that a Canadian support staff member flew a drone during a training session on Feb. 22.

Police responded to the New Zealand team's complaint and arrested a Canadian power analyst who was using the drone to gather information.

“I apologize to the players and coaching staff of Team New Zealand. “I apologize to the players and coaching staff of the New Zealand national team,” he said, adding, ”I take full responsibility. I take full responsibility and will not be coaching the New Zealand game.”

Canada's women's national team is an Olympic powerhouse, having won one title (Tokyo 2020) and finished third twice (London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016). They are ranked eighth by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).  바카라사이트 추천