Khaberni - Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, reveals that Canadian officials allowed him entry into the country to attend the FIFA congress, but they opted to return after being detained for 3 hours and interrogated at the Toronto airport, according to Iranian media reports on Friday.
Taj, a former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, stated that he was interrogated by Canadian immigration authorities about his affiliations with the Revolutionary Guard, but was ultimately allowed to enter the country for the gathering preceding the World Cup in Vancouver.
Canadian authorities had stated that members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are prohibited from entering the country, which is preparing to co-host the World Cup from June alongside the United States and Mexico.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Taj saying: We all had visas and were even screened in Turkey. They told us they had questions for us and asked if we were members of the Revolutionary Guard. We told them there are 90 million members of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran. They said they do not allow people from this organization to enter. They said these are the laws of our country.
Taj added: After a while, they said you can enter, but we decided to return. They did not deport us and we decided to return on our own... I told the Canadians that you kept us at the airport for three hours, and made us wait for no reason.
Taj mentioned that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had offered to send a private jet to transport the Iranian delegation to Canada after they returned to Turkey, but they refused: I told FIFA Secretary General Matias Grafstrom that you feel intimidated by America and that you say "yes" to whatever they say.
Infantino insisted on Thursday that Iran will play World Cup matches in the United States, although FIFA had previously denied Tehran's request to arrange alternative venues for the games on American soil.
Taj about Iran's participation: We need to hold a meeting with FIFA officials to ensure that if we come to the World Cup, there should be no side issues and disputes for our team.
