Iranian football officials were denied entry into Canada ahead of the ongoing FIFA Congress, sparking controversy during the global football gathering.
According to reports, some members of the Iranian delegation encountered difficulties with Canadian immigration authorities upon arrival in the country.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, described the incident as “unintentional,” explaining that the situation resulted from “inappropriate behavior by immigration officials.”
Iranian news outlet Tasnim reported that the president of the Iranian Football Federation was among the officials denied entry into Canada.
The FIFA Congress has drawn football administrators and representatives from across the world, with several key discussions expected to take place during the meeting.
The development has since generated reactions among football stakeholders, especially given the importance of the congress in shaping global football policies and governance.
