The Iranian delegation was denied entry to Canada to participate in the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, despite holding valid visas, causing a diplomatic incident. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
According to Iranian media, representatives of the football federation, including President Mehdi Taj, Secretary General Hedayat Mombeini, and his deputy, were turned back from Toronto Pearson Airport. The Iranian side claimed "inappropriate behavior" by immigration authorities.
The incident occurred amid preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, highlighting the difficulties Iranian representatives face with cross-border travel.
Visa Issues and Security Concerns
According to sources, Iranian officials were also unable to participate in the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Vancouver due to visa difficulties.
"If it's like this in Canada, where it should be easy, what will it be like at the World Cup in the USA?"
According to sources, FIFA attempted to resolve the situation by sending a representative to Toronto, but this yielded no results. The organization also contacted the Iranian delegation and expressed regret over the incident.
Against this backdrop, Tehran is expressing concern regarding security guarantees for the national team and officials during the tournament. Iranian authorities are considering the possibility of demanding additional guarantees or even alternative options for hosting matches.
The FIFA Congress, which brought together over 200 associations, was intended to focus on organizational and financial matters in preparation for the first-ever World Cup featuring 48 teams.
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