On Tuesday, a drone flew over the field where the South Korean football team, which is participating in the World Cup, was training. The Mexican army shot down the aircraft, reports Associated Press. Authorities were unable to say whether the device was used to spy on players who will face the Mexican team on Thursday.
A federal official indicated that this “unregistered drone” was “neutralized.” He also explained that several drones have been neutralized in recent days after trying to penetrate the security zones surrounding the stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as the team base camps and areas reserved for supporters. He did not specify whether any arrests had been made.
Un incident « regrettable »
For his part, Hong Myung-bo, coach of South Korea, confirmed the facts. “Luckily it was just before we were working on our tactics, so it didn’t have an impact,†he said. But as we were in full preparation for the match, a crucial moment, what happened is regrettable. » The Korean team faces the Mexicans this Thursday. The latter won their first match against South Africa last week, while South Korea beat the Republic Czech.
The operation led by Mexican authorities is part of a security effort mobilizing the army and local police forces for the World Cup, which began last week in Mexico and is co-organized by the United States and Canada until July 19.
In March, the country’s authorities announced a security operation for the World Cup called “Plan Kukulkán”, mobilizing some 100,000 agents. The plan includes early warning systems, security measures in stadiums, airports, on roads and in hotels, as well as protection protocols for teams, officials and supporters.
A Canadian team sanctioned
Furthermore, in Canada, the authorities have banned the overflight of World Cup stadiums and several training sites in Vancouver and Toronto by unauthorized drones. In 2024, the Canadian women’s national team had been accused of having used a drone to spy on a New Zealand’s training session days before its opening match at the Paris Olympics, sparking a spying scandal that led to sanctions against Canada.
It led to the suspension of two members of the technical staff as well as coach Bev Priestman. She was then sacked by Canada Soccer. The Canadian women’s team received a six-point penalty.
