Iranian Football Delegation Denied Entry to Canada

The Iranian football delegation, led by Mehdi Taj, was reportedly denied entry into Canada this week, leading them to abandon plans to attend a pre-World Cup meeting in Toronto. The semi-official delegation included Iranian Football Federation Secretary General Hedayat Mombeni and Deputy Hame Momeni.

Upon arrival in Toronto, they were informed by Canadian immigration officials that they could not enter the country, despite holding valid visas. The delegation described the behavior of the Canadian immigration officials as unacceptable, particularly in light of Taj's previous affiliations with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Iranian Football Federation issued a statement through Tasnim, expressing that the treatment of its officials amounted to an insult. Canadian authorities declined to comment on the specific case, citing privacy laws, but reiterated their long-standing policy regarding individuals linked to the IRGC.

This incident occurs less than two months before the FIFA World Cup.