There have been a complete host of examples of groups and people trying to realize an unfair benefit over their opponents throughout the annals of sporting historical past.
From match-fixing to ‘Spygate’, the lengths some have gone to for private acquire or to get an higher hand on their opponents have shocked the world.
On the grand sporting stage that’s the Olympics, supposedly a celebration of athletic endeavour, scandals have been rife. Whereas the newest controversy pales compared to boycotts or state-sponsored doping, Canada’s drone utilization means the Paris Video games have not received off to the best of begins by way of upholding the normal Olympic values.
This is an evidence into Canada’s misdoings initially of the ladies’s soccer occasion.
What have been Canada accused of doing at Paris Olympics?
Canada Ladies began the defence of their gold medal with a 2-1 victory over New Zealand on Thursday, however surprising drama was delivered to the fixture given occasions which occurred within the build-up.
On Monday, New Zealand workers members observed a drone flying over their coaching base in Saint-Etienne and notified police. The police have been then in a position to hint the operator of this drone again to Joseph Lombardi, described as an “unaccredited analyst” for the Canadian staff.
Lombardi is a listed member of the Canadian workers, nevertheless, and the Canadian Olympic Committee later confirmed he had been utilizing the drone to movie New Zealand’s coaching session.
Fallout from Canada drone controversy
Whereas there was by no means any doubt as as to whether Thursday’s recreation would go forward, Canada at the moment are being led by assistant Andy Spence after head coach Bev Priestman voluntarily stepped down within the wake of the controversy.
“I’m finally chargeable for conduct in our program,” Priestman mentioned. “Accordingly, to stress our staff’s dedication to integrity, I’ve determined to voluntarily withdraw from teaching the match on Thursday. Within the spirit of accountability, I do that with the pursuits of each groups in thoughts and to make sure everybody feels that the sportsmanship of this recreation is upheld.”
Priestman, together with Lombardi and Jasmine Mander – Lombardi’s boss, primarily – have since all been despatched residence with the Canada head coach suspended.
37-year-old Englishwoman Priestman had guided Canada to gold at Tokyo 2020 having beforehand labored as an assistant for the Lionesses.
Will Canada nonetheless be awarded the win for beating New Zealand?
Canada have been victorious over the Ferns in Group A on Thursday, however there’s an opportunity the defending champions are stripped of their three factors.
CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee David Shoemaker mentioned that New Zealand requested FIFA beforehand to not award the Canadians any factors for Thursday’s recreation. Nevertheless, it is unknown as as to whether FIFA are contemplating such a sanction with their investigation ongoing.