Toronto Sun
17th May 2022
Canada Soccer announced last week they would be hosting Iran at B.C. Place in Vancouver as part of a two-match homestand on June 5
Canada’s choice of opponent for an upcoming men’s international soccer match is drawing criticism from around the country, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
When asked about the match Tuesday, and why his government granted visas to the Iranians, Trudeau, who was in St. John’s, N.L., differed to Canada Soccer.
“This was a choice by Soccer Canada,” Trudeau said. “I think it wasn’t a very good idea to invite the Iranian soccer team here to Canada, but that’s something the organizers are going to have to explain.”
According to the Canadian government, 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents were among 176 people killed when Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by two Iranian surface-to-air missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran en route to Kyiv on Jan. 8, 2020.
Canada Soccer chief marketing officer Sandra Gage put out a statement in the wake of the prime minister’s comments.
“At Canada Soccer we believe in the power of sport and its ability to bring people from different backgrounds and political beliefs together for a common purpose.
“Iran is one of 32 participating member associations at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Canada Soccer continues to follow all international protocols in staging this match. We are focused on preparations for our men’s national team to compete on the world stage.”
The exhibition game against Iran will be part of Canada’s preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.
Canada qualified for the men’s World Cup for the first time since its only previous appearance in 1986 in Mexico.
“That’s his opinion,” Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada striker Lucas Cavallini said to the Canadian Press about Trudeau’s comments. “But for us guys, for soccer players, we want soccer to grow here in Canada, and games like these are important for our nation, to bring the people closer to soccer.”
Iran also qualified for the World Cup, out of the Asian Football Confederation. They were drawn in Group B with England, the United States, and a yet to be determined European qualifier; either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. Iran is 21st in the FIFA world rankings.
Iran will be participating in its third consecutive FIFA World Cup and sixth overall. Iran has never made it out of the first stage of the tournament and have two wins from 15 World Cup matches.
Its most famous victory was against the United States at the 1998 World Cup in France, winning 2-1 at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon. Iran also defeated Morocco 1-0 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims have asked Canada Soccer to call off the friendly against Iran.
In a statement they said; “It recognizes the athletes’ rights to play diverse opponents and supports the sport and what the World Cup represents. However, it is offensive to the loved ones of Flight PS752 victims given the incredible loss they have endured at the hands of the IRGC (Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) and their ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims.”