Three of Iran’s top football officials have pulled out of a FIFA Congress meeting in Vancouver after they claimed they were subjected to unacceptable treatment by Canadian immigration staff upon landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, along with secretary general Hedayat Mombeni and deputy secretary general Hamed Momeni, had arrived in Canada on valid visas to take part in Thursday’s FIFA Congress.
However, the delegation did not continue to Vancouver. Instead, they boarded the next available flight back to Turkey
Due to the unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian nation’s armed forces, they returned to Turkey on the first available flight.” Iranian Football Federation, Official Statement
The Iranian federation described the conduct of immigration officers as a serious affront, stating that the treatment of the delegation was simply not something that could be overlooked. The statement did not provide specific details about what took place during the screening process at the airport.
The incident carries additional weight given the background of Mehdi Taj, who is a former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the country’s military that Canada has long regarded with suspicion and that is formally designated as a terrorist organisation under Canadian law.
The Canadian government responded swiftly, making clear that its position on IRGC-linked individuals remains firm and will not be altered regardless of the circumstances.
While we cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, the government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country.” Government of Canada, Official Statement
Ottawa added that it had taken firm steps to hold the IRGC to account and would continue to do so, while at the same time safeguarding the welfare of Canadian citizens and maintaining the proper functioning of the country’s immigration system.
The FIFA Congress was scheduled to take place in Vancouver on Thursday, with football officials and administrators from Member Associations across the world gather to discuss matters of governance and the future direction of the sport.
Iran’s withdrawal from the proceedings adds a diplomatic dimension to what is typically a routine gathering of the sport’s governing body.