A high-ranking Iranian football official has reached out to authorities following Canada’s decision to revoke the travel documents of a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The ex-commander, Mehdi Taj, was set to attend a FIFA meeting in Vancouver when the incident occurred.
This development has sparked comparisons to a similar situation in 2022 when discussions were held regarding a special exemption for Iran’s soccer team to travel to Vancouver for a match against Canada, which was eventually canceled due to public outcry.
Taj, currently serving as the president of the Iranian Football Federation and a former intelligence commander with the IRGC, was leading a delegation of Iranian soccer officials. Upon their arrival at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, Taj was denied entry and questioned by the Canada Border Services Agency regarding his ties to the IRGC.
Hamed Momeni, the deputy secretary general of Iran’s Football Federation, stated that he is investigating the matter and coordinating with relevant authorities. The delegation, including Momeni, was en route to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Taj claimed that although they were initially granted visas to enter Canada, they decided to return to Iran after being subjected to questioning by Canadian immigration officials. Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that Canada had revoked Taj’s travel documents while he was en route, leading to their return to Iran.
In a separate incident in 2022, Canadian officials deliberated granting special travel exemptions for Iranian soccer players and officials to enter the country for a match, despite public opposition. The government ultimately canceled the game, citing potential divisiveness.
Immigration lawyer Joshua Slayen criticized the government for repeating past mistakes, emphasizing the need for improved decision-making processes. The Conservatives raised concerns about the admission of Taj and questioned the government’s ability to ensure public safety ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Despite inquiries from various government departments, including Canadian Heritage and IRCC, details about the Iranian delegation’s admission remain unclear. FIFA, the organizing body of the Vancouver event, has not provided any comments on the matter. Canada Soccer clarified that they were not involved in the handling of the situation during the FIFA Congress.
The decision to revoke Taj’s travel documents mid-flight has raised significant questions, with critics questioning the government’s handling of the situation and its impact on national security.
