The Canadian Olympic Committee says a non-accredited member of Canada Soccer has been detained by police in France over accusations of spying on an opponent ahead of the Olympics.

The CoC says New Zealand Football filed the complaint on July 22 to officials in Saint-Étienne. The Canadian woman’s national team opens their gold-medal defence at the Olympic Games on July 25 against New Zealand.

“The staff member is believed to have been using a drone to record the New Zealand women’s football team during practice,” the CoC statement reads.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed. We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”

The CoC says it will work with the International Olympic Committee, Canada Soccer, FIFA and the Paris 2024 organizing committee to determine what next steps will be taken.

Recently, accusations have surfaced regarding a Canada Soccer staff member allegedly spying on an opponent during the Olympics. The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the ethics of such actions in the world of sports.

According to reports, the staff member in question was seen using binoculars to observe the training sessions of a rival team ahead of a crucial match. This behavior has been met with criticism from both fans and fellow athletes, who view it as a breach of fair play and sportsmanship.

Spying on opponents is not a new phenomenon in sports, with teams often seeking any advantage they can get to gain an edge over their rivals. However, there are clear boundaries that should not be crossed, and using surveillance tactics to gather information on an opponent crosses that line.

The Canada Soccer organization has issued a statement condemning the actions of the staff member and promising to investigate the matter further. They have emphasized their commitment to upholding the values of integrity and fair play in all aspects of the sport.

It is important for all sports organizations to take allegations of spying seriously and to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated within their ranks. Fair competition is essential to the integrity of sports, and any attempts to gain an unfair advantage through unethical means should be met with swift and appropriate action.

As the investigation into this incident continues, it serves as a reminder to all involved in sports that honesty, respect, and fair play are paramount. Cheating and deception have no place in athletics, and it is up to each individual and organization to uphold these principles in order to preserve the integrity of the game.