Iran officials were 'unintentionally' denied entry to Canada ahead of FIFA Congress

Canadian MPA Anita Anand says it is her “understanding” that Iranian football officials were denied entry to Canada ahead of a key FIFA Congress in Vancouver, describing the situation as “unintentional.”

The development follows reports from Tasnim, an Iranian news agency, which said Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and two other officials were turned away at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

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“It's not my personal lead, but my understanding is that there is a revocation of the permission. It was unintentional, but I'll leave it to the minister to indicate,” Anand said, referring to Immigration Minister Lena Diab.

Earlier reporting by Iran International suggested Taj had been granted a visa but was later removed due to alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada lists as a terrorist entity.

In a statement, Diab’s office said visa applications are reviewed individually.

“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,” said press secretary Taous Ait.

The FIFA Congress, which begins Thursday, comes weeks before the World Cup co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.