Should upcoming soccer friendly between Canada and Iran be cancelled?
It’s a soccer match that’s turning political.
On June 5, the Canadian men’s national soccer team will play its first match on Canadian soil since qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. The team is set to host #21-ranked Iran in an international friendly at BC Place.
Although it’s already proving to be a hot ticket, some, including the prime minister, believe organizers should have chosen a different opponent.
“This was a choice by Sport Canada, by Soccer Canada,” said Justin Trudeau Tuesday during a media scrum. “It wasn’t a very good idea to invite the Iranian soccer team here to Canada.”
On Jan. 8, 2020, Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 was mistakenly shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps just minutes after taking off from the Tehran airport.
“It’s like we have been betrayed by the government and Soccer Canada,” said Hamed Esmaeilion, a spokesperson for an advocacy group seeking justice for families of victims of Flight 752
Esmaeilion’s wife and daughter were among the 176 people who died that day, 55 of whom were Canadian. He says visas for the Iranian team should never have been granted in the first place.
“I think the best thing to do is to cancel it,” said Esmaeilion via Zoom in Toronto. “Choose another team. This is outrageous for the families, this is very disappointing for the families.”
In a statement to CTV News, Canada Soccer says it “believes in the power of sport and its ability to bring people from different backgrounds and political beliefs together” for a common purpose. “Canada soccer continues to follow all international protocols in staging this match.”
Meanwhile, Esmaelion says the game sends a mixed message, as several Canadian families and the federal government are still seeking justice for their loved ones.
“When we want to take them to international court of justice or international forum — what does it mean to invite a soccer team here and play a friendly game?”
Esmaelion says he and other families of victims plan to stage a protest during the match outside BC Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.