Olympics spy storm as New Zealand claims Canada flew drone over women's soccer practice with countries preparing to face off at Paris Games

Canadian Soccer is facing cheating allegations entering the Paris Olympics.

New Zealand's Olympic Committee says its women's soccer team had its training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of the Canadian team they face in Group A on Thursday.

'On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women's football team training session in St Etienne,' the NZOC said on Tuesday. 

'Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women's football team, to be detained.'

The incident was immediately reported to the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit and Team Canada has since apologized and is said to be investigating, the NZOC said. The Canadian Olympic Committee described the accused as a 'non-accredited member of the Canada Soccer support team.'

'The Canadian Olympic Committee stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed,' it read.

'We offer our heartfelt apologies to New Zealand Football, to all the players affected, and to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.'

Canada is the defending Olympic champ as well as New Zealand's first opponents at the Paris Games on Friday. 

In its statement, NZOC stressed that it is merely trying to preserve a fair playing field for its athletes. 

'The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games and are deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident, which occurred just three days before the sides are due to face each other in their opening game of Paris 2024,' the statement said.

'At this time the NZOC's main priority is to support the New Zealand women's football athletes and wider team as they start their campaign.'