Sports spy scandal escalates: Canadian drone pilot gets 8-month prison sentence (!) suspended

Spying on the Olympic Games.

The New Zealand women’s football team’s practice was caused by a sudden drone flight.

As it turned out, the driver of the projectile was a member of the Canadian football team. It’s no coincidence that the nations go head-to-head on Thursday in Group A of the Olympic soccer tournament.

“Supporters of the team immediately reported the incident to police, which led to the arrest of the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the Canadian women’s soccer team,” the NZOC explained in a statement.

So the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) filed a spying complaint against Canada with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). According to the New Zealand players, Team Canada has already apologized and the matter is being investigated.

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) says it is aware of the incident involving an “unaccredited member of the Canada Soccer Support Committee” and says it is consulting with the IOC, the Paris-based body, Canada Soccer and World Soccer. Association FIFA is considering next steps.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair play and we are shocked and disappointed. We sincerely apologize to Soccer New Zealand, all players affected and the New Zealand Olympic Committee,” the COC said in a statement.

“We are reviewing the next steps with the IOC, the Paris Games Organization, the Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA.”

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old Canadian has already been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended.