Some Iranians Residing in Canada Call for Cancellation of Iran-Canada National Football Teams Match

The Association of Families of Victims of Flight PS752 Downing called on the Canadian government in a statement to prevent the friendly match between Iran and Canada’s national football teams from being held.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in response to a question from a Canadian television correspondent about the government’s position on this match, said: “In my opinion, organizing this competition was not a good idea, but this invitation came from Canada’s football federation and the government has no role in hosting it.”

Hamed Esmailioun, spokesperson for the families of victims of the Ukrainian aircraft crash, wrote in a note published in Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper, referring to the efforts of Islamic Republic lobbies in Canada to hold this match: “Football in Iran, like many other activities, is controlled by the IRGC, and it is expected that several IRGC members will come to Canada along with the national football team.”

Referring to the IRGC’s influence over Iran’s Football Federation, he wrote: “Many clubs and sports teams in Iran are run by individuals affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Women are not allowed to enter stadiums, and the government television censors female athletes.”

Hamed Esmailioun emphasized: “Given these circumstances, Canada’s invitation to Iran’s national team is shocking and insulting to those who lost their loved ones during the PS752 flight downing.”

The friendly match between Iran and Canada’s national teams is scheduled to be held on June 5 in Vancouver. Coinciding with this match, some media outlets are reporting on efforts by Islamic Republic lobbies to sideline protests by government opponents and gatherings of families of aircraft crash victims.

Some Twitter users, resharing advertisements from one of Vancouver’s event-organizing companies, wrote: “See what the Islamic Republic lobby is doing in Canada. People are being suppressed on the streets of Iran, and this group is organizing anti-sanctions conferences, friendly matches, and after-parties in Canada to prevent the image of the criminal dictator from being tarnished in the West.”

Source: Voice of America