2 Canadian soccer coaches are SENT HOME from Olympics over drone spying scandal

Two members of staff working for the Canadian women's Olympic soccer team have been sent home after New Zealand complained that a drone was being used to spy on their training session.

Staff from New Zealand's team noticed a drone flying above their training session in St Etienne on Monday.

Reporting it to police, the operator was identified as a supporting staff member of Canada's team. The person was detained by French police.

The Canadian Olympic Committee later confirmed that assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were kicked off the team following the incident.

Head coach Bev Priestman also removed herself from coaching the team against New Zealand.

Canada are the reigning Olympic champions and New Zealand's first opponents at the Paris Games on Thursday.

A statement issued by the New Zealand Olympic Committee said they were 'deeply shocked and disappointed by this incident' and wanted answers.

'The NZOC has formally lodged the incident with the IOC integrity unit and has asked Canada for a full review,' the statement read.

'The NZOC and New Zealand Football are committed to upholding the integrity and fairness of the Olympic Games.'

Priestman apologized for the offence.

'On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,' she said.

'This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program.'