Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj has been refused entry into Canada alongside his colleagues ahead of the FIFA congress scheduled for Thursday. The incident occurred as Taj attempted to travel to Vancouver for the FIFA Congress on April 30.
Denial of Entry Details
According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, Taj was sent back on the next available flight following what was described as 'inappropriate behavior of immigration officials'. The Iranian football chief was accompanied by his secretary general Hedayat Mombeini and his deputy Hamed Momeni.
It is claimed that Taj had been granted a Temporary Resident Permit to enter Canada, but he was refused entry due to his affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Taj previously served as a commander of the IRGC, and Canada designates the group as a terrorist organisation.
Reports indicate that Taj was allowed to land but was not permitted entry into Canada after questioning, and was subsequently sent back on a flight on Tuesday.
Government Response
Canada's immigration ministry did not comment on the specific case but issued a statement: "The government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country." The statement added: "We have taken strong action to hold the IRGC to account and will continue to do so, while protecting the safety of Canadians and upholding the integrity of our immigration system."
On Tuesday, Leo Housakos, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Canada, challenged the government regarding the expected arrival of Taj, as reported by Iranian press. Housakos stated: "Your government can't seem to show the IRGC the door, but it can find a way to roll out the welcome mat and receive him. Leader, why is your government still unable or unwilling to enforce Canada's terrorism-related inadmissibility rules? What's the point of listing the IRGC if you're not serious about throwing him out of our country?"
The incident has sparked further debate over Canada's immigration policies regarding individuals linked to the IRGC.
