Iran boycott FIFA meeting in Canada after airport incident

Iran’s football leadership has pulled out of a scheduled FIFA meeting in Canada following what officials described as “inappropriate behaviour” by immigration officers at Toronto airport, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.

The delegation, led by Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, was en route to Vancouver to attend the FIFA Congress when the incident occurred.

Also travelling were secretary general Hedayat Mombeni and deputy secretary general Hamed Momeni.

In a statement, the federation said the group had been forced to return after what it called unacceptable treatment upon arrival in Toronto.

Chelsea's Mudryk appeals against four-year FA ban

It added that the decision was also linked to “an insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian nation’s armed forces,” referencing Taj’s past association with the Revolutionary Guard.

“While Mehdi Taj, Hedayat Mombeni, and Hamed Momeni had travelled to Toronto with official visas to attend the FIFA Congress, they returned to Turkey on the first available flight due to the unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials,” the statement said.

Taj is a former member of Iran’s hardline Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), a designation that has previously drawn scrutiny in international travel and diplomatic contexts.

Responding to the situation, the Canadian government said it does not comment on individual cases but maintained its position on entry rules.

“IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country,” a statement read.

It added that Canada remains committed to “protecting the safety of Canadians and upholding the integrity of our immigration system.”

The boycott comes just days before the 76th FIFA Congress was set to begin.

FKA/JE

Watch the latest episode of Sports Check with ex-Black Stars forward Augustine Ahinful