A number of Iranians living in Canada called for the cancellation of the match between the Iranian and Canadian national football teams.

The Association of Families of the Victims of the Downing of Flight PS 752 called on the Canadian government in a statement to prevent the holding of a friendly match between the Iranian and Canadian national football teams.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in response to a question from a Canadian television reporter about the government's position on the game, said: "I don't think hosting this game was a good idea, but the invitation was made by the Canadian Soccer Federation and the government has no role in hosting it."

Hamed Esmailiyon, a spokesman for the families of the victims of the Ukrainian plane crash, wrote in a note in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, referring to the efforts of the Islamic Republic's lobbies in Canada to hold this game: "Football in Iran, like many other activities, is controlled by the Revolutionary Guard Corps, and a number of members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps are expected to come to Canada with the national football team."
Referring to the IRGC's influence in the Iranian Football Federation, he writes: "Many sports clubs and teams in Iran are run by people associated with the IRGC, women are not allowed to enter stadiums, and government television censors female athletes."

Hamed Esmailiyon stated, "Considering these matters, Canada's invitation to the Iranian national team is shocking and an insult to those who lost their loved ones in the downing of flight PS752."

A friendly match between the national teams of Iran and Canada is scheduled to be held in Vancouver on June 5. Simultaneously with the match, some media outlets are reporting on efforts by the Islamic Republic's lobbies to marginalize the protests by opponents of the government and the gathering of families of the plane crash victims.

Some Twitter users, reposting an advertisement from a Vancouver entertainment company, wrote: "Look at what the Islamic Republic lobby is doing in Canada. People are being oppressed on the streets of Iran, and this group is organizing an anti-sanctions conference, friendly games, and after-parties in Canada so that the image of the criminal dictator in the West is not tarnished."

Source: Voice of America