Soccer Canada cancels 'divisive' friendly against Iran ahead of World Cup in Qatar

Soccer Canada has cancelled a heavily criticized match set to take place in Vancouver next month, citing the "untenable geopolitical situation of hosting Iran."

Soccer Canada announced in May men's squad would be hosting Iran for a friendly at BC Place in Vancouver on June 5. Greater Vancouver has one of the largest Persian communities outside of Iran, and tickets for the rare chance to see "Team Melli" were a hot commodity.

But the "untenable geopolitical situation of hosting Iran became significantly divisive" and the match was cancelled in response, Soccer Canada said Thursday.

"While we considered the external factors in selecting the optimal opponent in our original decision-making process, we will strive to do better moving forward," the statement reads.

In response, the Iranian Deputy Minister of Culture and Public Sports said the country's soccer federation would be seeking $10 million in compensation in accordance with the contract signed between the two teams.

Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the game.

"This was a choice by Soccer Canada," Trudeau said. "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."

As CTV News reports, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart also voiced his displeasure, citing respect for the victims of Flight PS752 and their families.

"The beautiful game should bring us together, but until our Iranian neighbours get answers from IRGC, we should not host the Canada Soccer friendly," he said.

On January 8, 2020, Flight PS752 departed Tehran for Ukraine, with many passengers en route to Canada. Shortly after takeoff, it was shot down by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard using a surface to air missile, killing everyone onboard.

Of the 176 dead, 138 had ties to Canada. Fifty-five were Canadian citizens and 30 were permanent residents.

Those who lost loved ones were among the first to criticize the match. Hamed Esmaeilion, who lost his wife and daughter, called it "a slap in the face."

Other critics cited that Iran's team manager was photographed with a man connected to the Iranian government and wanted by the FBI for plotting to kidnap numerous people in the US and Canada, including famed Persian journalist Masih Alinejad.

As CBC reports, manager Hamid Estili was seen at a birthday party in April with the alleged criminal Mahmoud Khazein.

This is symbolic of a worrying trend in Iran, as the government assumes control of more aspects of life, including sports teams.

Both inside Iran and in the diaspora worldwide, there has long been a desire among a segment of the population to separate the Persian people from their government.

Many hoped sport could be the outlet through which the world would see past the image of the Iranian regime and discover the humanity of the Persian people.

During the 1998 World Cup, Iran faced off against the United States in what many called "the most politically charged football match in World Cup history." Despite calls from the Iranian government urging players not to act friendly with the American side, Team Melli took the opportunity to bring some humanity to the fraught relations between the two nations.

Some hoped a similar experience would occur in Vancouver this June, but it appears the Iranian regime and the team are inextricably linked.