US EditionIranian soccer officials turned away from Canada ahead of FIFA meeting
Canadian officials said the federation president and two aides were barred after arriving, citing ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- On Tuesday evening, Canadian authorities denied entry to Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj ahead of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, sending him and two other officials back after they arrived in Toronto.
- Canada designates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization; Taj's previous service as an IRGC commander prompted officials to revoke his entry permission.
- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated it is her "understanding" that permission was revoked, while Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree noted Canada does not welcome individuals with ties to terrorist organizations.
- The Iranian delegation did not attend Tuesday's Asian Football Confederation meeting in Vancouver, with AFC general secretary Windsor John citing "visa formalities issues" for the federation's absence.
- Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner questioned the government's screening process, noting Taj initially obtained a visa, while Iran remains scheduled for the 2026 World Cup.
133 Articles
133 Articles
Iran Does Not Participate in the FIFA Congress because One of Its Members Was Denied Entry to Canada
Iran’s presence at the next football World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada was guaranteed this Thursday by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. But the controversy that began long ago, especially after the invasion of the country by the U.S.-Israel alliance. That controversy persists 41 days before the competition begins. The Iranian delegation did not participate this Thursday of Congress that the world soccer governing body …
![[your]NEWS](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2Ffb6dc495f74049f513563c33352175eaa0ecd509.jpg%3Fwidth%3D24&w=64&q=75){kind=small}
Canadian Government Says Iranian Football Officials Denied Entry Ahead of FIFA Congress Amid Security Concerns
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday that it was her “understanding” Iranian football officials were denied entry into Canada ahead of a major FIFA Congress in Vancouver, an incident that has drawn international attention just weeks before the start of the World Cup jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
A few weeks before the World Cup, a Fifa Congress takes place in Canada, but without the President of the Iranian Association. He was not allowed to enter. Meanwhile, President Infantino announces that he will extend his term of office.
The Iranian delegation began the FIFA Congress on Thursday without the Iranian delegation, which is being held in Vancouver, Canada, for the upcoming World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Iranians were supposed to enter Canada at the Toronto airport, but were turned away in a huff after Canadian border guards refused to let one of the delegation members in, even though the Iranians said he had a valid visa. According to a Reuter…
Two of Iran delegation could have attended FIFA congress but chose not to, source says
VANCOUVER, April 30 : The FIFA Congress opened on Thursday without Iran, its delegation's absence underscoring the geopolitical tensions and logistical fault lines hanging over the upcoming World Cup.Iranian football federation officials, including president Mehdi Taj, were due to attend the gathering but tur
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
![[your]NEWS](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2Ffb6dc495f74049f513563c33352175eaa0ecd509.jpg%3Fwidth%3D60&w=128&q=75)
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
