Justin Trudeau calls CanMNT hosting Iran next month a mistake. The Canadian prime minister responded to a question in regards to CanMNT hosting Iran next month in an international friendly was not a good idea.
Justin Trudeau calls the CanMNT hosting Iran a mistake
Justin Trudeau was in St John’s, Newfoundland yesterday and took the time to speak to the media and was asked to give his thoughts on the match and doesn’t agree with Iran being invited for a World Cup preparation match.
“This was a choice by Soccer Canada, I think it wasn’t a very good idea to invite the Iranian soccer team here to Canada. But that’s something that the organizers are going to have to explain.”
The disagreement is in regards to an incident involving a plane that was shot down in Tehran by an Iranian missile strike which resulted in 176 people killed including 55 Canadians who were onboard Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752 which was shot down right after takeoff.
The match which is scheduled to take place on June 5 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC has already got calls to have the match cancelled. Canada is currently ranked 38th in the FIFA world rankings while Iran is ranked 21 are getting ready for Qatar this November.
CMNT: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not pleased whatsoever with Canada Soccer arranging a friendly at home v Iran.
Says it was “choice” made by Sport Canada and Soccer Canada.
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 17, 2022
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Comments on Iran playing in Canada and the CanMNT’s record against Iran
Canada currently has a record of 1-2-0 all-time against Iran and in their last meeting back in April 2001, they were able to pull out a 1-0 win in Cairo, Egypt. Iran won both matches in Canada in 1997 in Toronto and 1999 in Edmonton. Canada Soccer released a statement in regards to his comments.
“At Canada Soccer we believe in the power of sport and its ability to bring people from different backgrounds and political beliefs together for a common purpose,” it said. “Iran is one of 32 participating member associations at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Canada Soccer continues to follow all international protocols in staging this match”.
The Association of Families of Flight PS752 took exception to this even while it was rumoured to happen and went as far as saying it was a slap in the face. Hamed Esmaeilion who is head of the organization doesn’t believe there is anything friendly about this match.
“They call that a friendly game,” What kind of friendship do we have with the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Lucas Cavallini was able to comment on the situation and believes that everyone is entitled to their opinion.
“That’s his opinion.” “But for us guys, for soccer players, we want soccer to grow here in Canada. And games like these are important for our nation, to bring the people closer to soccer,”
Canada is scheduled to open their World Cup campaign on November 23 against Belgium, and Croatia on November 27 and will wrap up the group stage on December 1 against Morocco.
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer on January 24, 2022.
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