Australia accused of drone ‘espionage’

Tensions heighten ahead of play-off second leg

Honduras accused Australia of using a drone for “espionage” today, giving an extra edge to their winner-takes-all play-off to reach next year’s World Cup.

Coach Jorge Luis Pinto called it “embarrassing” after a drone was spotted hovering near an official training session — even though Australian reports said it was being flown by children.

Pinto has also reportedly claimed that Honduran media leaked information to Australia, and suggested the Socceroos swept for hidden cameras ahead of Friday’s 0-0 first-leg draw in San Pedro Sula.

“I think the incident is embarrassing for such an advanced country. I think it’s a pity,” Pinto said, when asked about the drone.

“[When Australia came to Honduras] they checked every bathroom of the stadium to see if we had cameras. What a shame, in a country with this culture and level, asking to do that.”

He added: “Let’s not be naive. It’s espionage in football that begins to happen with this technology. It needs to be controlled. Peru forward Jefferson Farfan said his team will try “every way possible” to break down New Zealand’s defence when they meet in the decisive leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff here today evening.

Farfan feels the clash at Estadio Nacional in Lima would be just as difficult as the first leg.

“It’s not easy to break down their defensive wall but we have to find every way possible to do it,” Farfan told reporters yesterday.

“We have fought so hard to make it this far and we’re not going to let the opportunity slip easily.”

“Like [the video assistant referee] made its way into football, drones have made their way into espionage.”

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou earlier brushed off the claim of an information leak, saying he was “not really concerned about it to be honest”.

“We are flat-out focusing on ourselves. There was a fair bit of drama around before the first game, again we stayed right out of it,” he said.