Olympic Drone Scandal: Canada Soccer’s Unauthorized Surveillance Leads to Suspensions and Reform

An independent investigation has revealed that Canada’s women’s soccer coaching staff used drones to spy on New Zealand’s practice sessions during the 2024 Paris Olympics, as reported by The Athletic.

The Drone Incident

In a shocking breach of sporting ethics, Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with the Canadian women’s team, was caught flying a drone over restricted airspace in Saint-Étienne, France. The device was used to “surreptitiously film the practice sessions of the New Zealand Women’s National Team” on July 20 and 22, 2024. New Zealand’s staff spotted the suspicious drone and quickly alerted local police, who traced the aircraft back to Lombardi.

Consequences and Fallout

The unauthorized surveillance operation led to severe repercussions for Canada Soccer. The team was penalized with a six-point deduction in the Olympic group stage, though they remarkably still managed to reach the quarterfinals. Head coach Bev Priestman received a one-year suspension from FIFA and was removed from her position. Assistant coach Jasmine Mander and drone operator Joseph Lombardi also received year-long suspensions, with all three permanently barred from the Canada Soccer program.

“The situation that occurred at the Olympic Games was highly unacceptable to everybody involved,” said Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue. “It was a traumatic situation for everybody involved, including the players. When people dream of the Olympic Games, they don’t typically dream of this type of disruption.”

Investigation Findings

Toronto-based lawyer Sonia Regenbogen’s investigation uncovered disturbing patterns of surveillance within the organization. While the drone footage was never shown to Canadian players, the report revealed that similar surveillance had occurred at another women’s tournament between June 2022 and March 2024. When concerns were raised about these practices, staff members were told it was “expected” that they would “conduct surreptitious surveillance of opponents.”

The investigation cleared Canada’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medal campaign of any drone usage, attributing this to strict COVID-19 lockdown measures. The men’s team, under new leadership, was found to have used drones legally and solely for promotional footage at Copa America.

Reform and Future Direction

Canada Soccer is now undertaking comprehensive reforms to prevent future incidents. CEO Blue emphasized their commitment to change:

“We will continue to scrutinize our organization for the cultural patterns that existed before, and for any evidence of these cultural patterns or ethical shortcomings continuing to exist.”

The organization is implementing new reporting systems for unethical behavior, enhancing code of conduct education, and establishing an independent audit committee.

DroneXL’s Take

This troubling incident underscores the vital importance of legal and ethical drone operations in professional sports. While drones offer incredible potential for legitimate training analysis and promotional content, their misuse for unauthorized surveillance represents a serious breach of sporting ethics and aviation law. This case serves as a powerful reminder that drone operators must prioritize legal compliance and ethical considerations over any perceived competitive advantages. The incident has forced necessary changes within Canada Soccer and hopefully will inspire other sporting organizations to examine their own practices regarding drone usage.

What’s your take on the balance between technological advancement and fair play in sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​