CANADA MATCH CANCELED!

[koorosh]

I kind of feel bad for the Canadian Soccer staff. They did their job in setting up a quality friendly with a good team, in a way that it would have generated millions of dollars for them.

What they did not know is that they have a weasel prime minister that will wilt in any direction the wind is blowing at. I would cancel the friendly too if the players and staff were being threatened.

This is all on the Canadian government. They should have come out hard and arrest anyone harassing or threatening the players. They should have announced publicly that they will not allow their own team members with be threatened and that they will take harsh action against anyone doing so. But, hey, when you have a dancing clown as your PM....what can you say?

Sorry but you are mistaken here. The Trudeau came under a lot of fire from the official opposition, the Conservatives for not doing enough to stop this game.

There are many many Iranians, of all political backgrounds and views that opposed this game. Even within my own family there was a lot of disagreement about the ethics of this game.

Ultimately, some of the vocal the families of the victims and some Canadians themselves were very uncomfortable with this game happening and helped to scuttle it. It did not help that fifty person contingent was to come here... obviously more than just football players and coaches. Not did it help that many of our players have made political statements supporting some aspects of IRI.

You have to recognize that the Downing of the Ukranian flight was a hugely tragic event in Canada. People value life here much more than in Iran where much more coverage was given to Soleymanis death than to the dozens who died in accidents in mourning ceremonies organized after his death.

I was surprised to receive condolences from a number of Canadian colleagues and friends just because I was Iranian. There were dozens of memorials conducted by schools amd universities across Canada...I suspect more than in Iran.

I think that I was naive to think that sports and politics can be separated but it will be many years before the relationship between Canada and Iran can be normalized to the point where a football match would just be that.

CSA was also totally out of tune with the general attitudes and relented after a ton of pressure.

[Farzin-a]

Canada Soccer announces friendly against Panama in Vancouver

Canada has lined up a replacement for the cancelled World Cup tune-up game against Iran in Vancouver this weekend. It will be fellow CONCACAF Octagonal adversary Panama that will the void left by last Thursday’s abrupt announcement that game with Iran was called off.

The 63rd FIFA ranked Panamanians sit considerably lower than the 21st Iranians, and will not serve as well for broadening the CANMNT’s experience against non-CONCACAF opposition. But, it was clear to most Canadians, soccer fans or not, that inviting Iran to play in Canada was as politically untenable as it was morally irresponsible. The unresolved issues around victim compensation for the January 8, 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by Iranian missiles just after take-off from Tehran are at the heart of why staging this game was indefensible. Of the 176 casualties, 85 were Canadians.


Scrambling to find anybody to play on Sunday was a difficult task at this late moment, so ultimately, Panama will do. Moreover, this game will serve as a tune-ups to each team’s respective CONCACAF Nations League matches in June.

In deference to the ticketing debacle caused by the Iran game cancellation, Canada Soccer announced that all tickets for Sunday’s Panama game in the lower bowl at BC Place will be priced at just $30.00. The tickets are expected to go on sale through Ticketmaster on the morning of Wednesday, June 1st.

Canada’s historical record against Panama is a mediocre 4-6-2, but it is noteworthy that all four wins came in games played in Canada. Following the friendly, Les Rouges will play another match at BC Place in Vancouver on June 9th against Curaçao, while Panama faces Martinique on the same day

[eerooni]

Canada Soccer announces friendly against Panama in Vancouver

Canada has lined up a replacement for the cancelled World Cup tune-up game against Iran in Vancouver this weekend. It will be fellow CONCACAF Octagonal adversary Panama that will the void left by last Thursday’s abrupt announcement that game with Iran was called off.

The 63rd FIFA ranked Panamanians sit considerably lower than the 21st Iranians, and will not serve as well for broadening the CANMNT’s experience against non-CONCACAF opposition. But, it was clear to most Canadians, soccer fans or not, that inviting Iran to play in Canada was as politically untenable as it was morally irresponsible. The unresolved issues around victim compensation for the January 8, 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by Iranian missiles just after take-off from Tehran are at the heart of why staging this game was indefensible. Of the 176 casualties, 85 were Canadians.


Scrambling to find anybody to play on Sunday was a difficult task at this late moment, so ultimately, Panama will do. Moreover, this game will serve as a tune-ups to each team’s respective CONCACAF Nations League matches in June.

In deference to the ticketing debacle caused by the Iran game cancellation, Canada Soccer announced that all tickets for Sunday’s Panama game in the lower bowl at BC Place will be priced at just $30.00. The tickets are expected to go on sale through Ticketmaster on the morning of Wednesday, June 1st.

Canada’s historical record against Panama is a mediocre 4-6-2, but it is noteworthy that all four wins came in games played in Canada. Following the friendly, Les Rouges will play another match at BC Place in Vancouver on June 9th against Curaçao, while Panama faces Martinique on the same day

Sadly after this cancellation no other 1st world nation will even dare to want to play us due the tense political undertone that this friendly brought on! Will see Iran locked away from good quality games for a while….

[Nokhodi]

Sorry but you are mistaken here. The Trudeau came under a lot of fire from the official opposition, the Conservatives for not doing enough to stop this game.

There are many many Iranians, of all political backgrounds and views that opposed this game. Even within my own family there was a lot of disagreement about the ethics of this game.

Ultimately, some of the vocal the families of the victims and some Canadians themselves were very uncomfortable with this game happening and helped to scuttle it. It did not help that fifty person contingent was to come here... obviously more than just football players and coaches. Not did it help that many of our players have made political statements supporting some aspects of IRI.

You have to recognize that the Downing of the Ukranian flight was a hugely tragic event in Canada. People value life here much more than in Iran where much more coverage was given to Soleymanis death than to the dozens who died in accidents in mourning ceremonies organized after his death.

I was surprised to receive condolences from a number of Canadian colleagues and friends just because I was Iranian. There were dozens of memorials conducted by schools amd universities across Canada...I suspect more than in Iran.

I think that I was naive to think that sports and politics can be separated but it will be many years before the relationship between Canada and Iran can be normalized to the point where a football match would just be that.

CSA was also totally out of tune with the general attitudes and relented after a ton of pressure.

All valid points, but I think you underestimate the silent majority. Look how many tickets were sold for the game.
I also live in this country and I have never had anyone comment about Iranian events to me except for 2009!

A loud minority hijacked the rage and sadness of the flight victims and got the game cancelled for cheap political points.

[Leicester City]

Canada fans are jealous of the friendly with Uruguay.

[diz]

Canada fans are jealous of the friendly with Uruguay.

Well, they know who to blame for that one!

[nisfejahan]

Sorry but you are mistaken here. The Trudeau came under a lot of fire from the official opposition, the Conservatives for not doing enough to stop this game.

There are many many Iranians, of all political backgrounds and views that opposed this game. Even within my own family there was a lot of disagreement about the ethics of this game.

Ultimately, some of the vocal the families of the victims and some Canadians themselves were very uncomfortable with this game happening and helped to scuttle it. It did not help that fifty person contingent was to come here... obviously more than just football players and coaches. Not did it help that many of our players have made political statements supporting some aspects of IRI.

You have to recognize that the Downing of the Ukranian flight was a hugely tragic event in Canada. People value life here much more than in Iran where much more coverage was given to Soleymanis death than to the dozens who died in accidents in mourning ceremonies organized after his death.

I was surprised to receive condolences from a number of Canadian colleagues and friends just because I was Iranian. There were dozens of memorials conducted by schools amd universities across Canada...I suspect more than in Iran.

I think that I was naive to think that sports and politics can be separated but it will be many years before the relationship between Canada and Iran can be normalized to the point where a football match would just be that.

CSA was also totally out of tune with the general attitudes and relented after a ton of pressure.

First of all, you described the very definition of politicians wilting to outside pressure. That is what I alleged and you are just confirming it.

Second, the vast majority of Iranians wanted this game, evidenced by the game selling out in a matter of hours. Many of those ticket purchasers were going to travel hundreds (thousands in my case) to attend this game.

Third, as evidenced by the videos and news excerpts, the Canadian team was being harassed and threatened. I do not think this was the work of the victim families and suggests other forces at work.

Fourth, Canada (and others) cannot have it both ways. They can either separate sports and politics or mix them. They cannot selectively do it when it comes to Iran. Same thing with human rights, etc, etc. Double-standards only highlights their hypocrisy.

Fifth, according to a Canadian report, the shooting down was an accident. Yes due to severe incompetence, but nevertheless an accident. At least IR did not award a medal to the person pulling the trigger. During the Afghan war, US army killed four Canadians and injured eight others in Afghanistan. It was an accident as well due to the mistake of the Americans. Should Canada have cancelled any of the games with US?

-------------------------

This action changes the rules of the game now. Should Palestinians threaten Canadian athletes every time they compete against Israelis? Oh...wait...Thats is called terrorism....... Using terror to achieve political means!!

[taremiscores]

Fifth, according to a Canadian report, the shooting down was an accident. Yes due to severe incompetence, but nevertheless an accident. At least IR did not award a medal to the person pulling the trigger. During the Afghan war, US army killed four Canadians and injured eight others in Afghanistan. It was an accident as well due to the mistake of the Americans. Should Canada have cancelled any of the games with US?

You're being very charitable here bro. Audio leaks show that the downing of the plane, with former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, saying that it being intentional is not out of the realm of possibility

The Canadian government and security agencies are reviewing an audio recording in which a man — identified by sources as Iran's foreign affairs minister — discusses the possibility that the destruction of Flight PS752 was an intentional act, CBC News has learned.

The individual, identified by sources as Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, is heard saying on the recording that there are a "thousand possibilities" to explain the downing of the jet, including a deliberate attack involving two or three "infiltrators" — a scenario he said was "not at all unlikely."

He is also heard saying the truth will never be revealed by the highest levels of Iran's government and military.

On the Farsi-language recording reviewed by CBC News, the individual identified as Zarif is heard suggesting the downing was accidental — but later says it's possible "infiltrators" intentionally shot down the plane.

"Even if you assume that it was an organized intentional act, they would never tell us or anyone else," says the individual. "There would have been two three people who did this. And it's not at all unlikely. They could have been infiltrators. There are a thousand possibilities. Maybe it was really because of the war and it was the radar."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/aud...s752-1.5906538

IR also deliberately lied about it. They also quickly came to sweep the evidence once the plane was shot down

Iran originally denied any involvement in the aircraft's destruction. Three days after the crash, and in the face of mounting satellite evidence, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani admitted its military "unintentionally" shot down the plane. He blamed human error, saying the military mistook the jetliner for a hostile target in the aftermath of an American drone strike that killed a high-ranking Iranian military general in Iraq.

[nisfejahan]

You're being very charitable here bro. Audio leaks show that the downing of the plane, with former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, saying that it being intentional is not out of the realm of possibility

I have seen that video. It is neither here nor there. As I said, external reports concluded it was an accident due to sheer incompetence heightened by the military tensions on that day. What IR should have done was close the airports, but did not. It is on them, but does not imply an intentional act.

This is from the report:
https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-...?lang=eng#a3_1
Forensic Team Analysis

Iran’s Final Report concludes that missile damage to Flight PS752 was the primary cause of the downing. It claims that the SAM operator made a series of unanticipated errors that contributed to the downing, including the misidentification of Flight PS752 as a hostile target and the resulting launch of missiles.
Based on the information available, it seems evident that the SAM operator’s actions played a key role in the downing of Flight PS752; however, the Forensic Team concludes that his actions and the resulting tragedy could and should have been avoided. But for a number of fundamental deficiencies in planning, mitigating risk, and decision making, Flight PS752 would not have been targeted by the SAM operator.
Iran’s explanation to date, including its Final Report, is evasive and presents a highly selective explanation of events. Its claims are not substantiated with evidence. Iran’s account lacks context and fails to address the full breadth of causes and contributing factors that led to the downing.
Subject to further legal analysis, the Forensic Team’s assessment is that Iran’s Final Report fails to meet the standards and recommended practices set out in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention as a result of these shortcomings.
The Forensic Team’s analysis shows that Iranian civilian and military authorities – through their actions and omissions – directly put Flight PS752 and other civilian aircraft in danger by creating conditions in which a SAM operator could launch missiles at them and by failing to take adequate preventative measures to reduce this high risk.
The Forensic Team identified the following key findings on the causes and contributing factors that led to the downing of Flight PS752:

IR also deliberately lied about it. They also quickly came to sweep the evidence once the plane was shot down

This happens all the time with governments. Do you really think it is the first time a government lies to hide their own incompetence?

In any case, none of this justifies the coward Trudeau's statements or actions on this. If the Canadian team and Staff were being threatened, he should have acted like a leader to protect his citizens, not succumb to terrorism!!

[taremiscores]

I have seen that video. It is neither here nor there. As I said, external reports concluded it was an accident due to sheer incompetence heightened by the military tensions on that day. What IR should have done was close the airports, but did not. It is on them, but does not imply an intentional act.
This is from the report:
https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-...?lang=eng#a3_1
Forensic Team Analysis

Iran’s Final Report concludes that missile damage to Flight PS752 was the primary cause of the downing. It claims that the SAM operator made a series of unanticipated errors that contributed to the downing, including the misidentification of Flight PS752 as a hostile target and the resulting launch of missiles.
Based on the information available, it seems evident that the SAM operator’s actions played a key role in the downing of Flight PS752; however, the Forensic Team concludes that his actions and the resulting tragedy could and should have been avoided. But for a number of fundamental deficiencies in planning, mitigating risk, and decision making, Flight PS752 would not have been targeted by the SAM operator.
Iran’s explanation to date, including its Final Report, is evasive and presents a highly selective explanation of events. Its claims are not substantiated with evidence. Iran’s account lacks context and fails to address the full breadth of causes and contributing factors that led to the downing.
Subject to further legal analysis, the Forensic Team’s assessment is that Iran’s Final Report fails to meet the standards and recommended practices set out in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention as a result of these shortcomings.
The Forensic Team’s analysis shows that Iranian civilian and military authorities – through their actions and omissions – directly put Flight PS752 and other civilian aircraft in danger by creating conditions in which a SAM operator could launch missiles at them and by failing to take adequate preventative measures to reduce this high risk.
The Forensic Team identified the following key findings on the causes and contributing factors that led to the downing of Flight PS752:
This happens all the time with governments. Do you really think it is the first time a government lies to hide their own incompetence?
In any case, none of this justifies the coward Trudeau's statements or actions on this. If the Canadian team and Staff were being threatened, he should have acted like a leader to protect his citizens, not succumb to terrorism!!

"I have seen that video. It is neither here nor there."

I don't even know what this means bro. Just completely discount what IR's leak audio says that this may have been intentional? Alright. It's not the first time they kill 100s of Iranians at a time. A government who doesn't appreciate the lives of their own citizens is well-capable of such a massacre - even according to their own narrative.

Governments shoot down their own passenger plane and then lie about it? OK. Alright. Cool.

Sports and politics should never be mixed. Not when Iran does it with Israel, not when Canada does it with Iran.

[koorosh]

First of all, you described the very definition of politicians wilting to outside pressure. That is what I alleged and you are just confirming it.

Second, the vast majority of Iranians wanted this game, evidenced by the game selling out in a matter of hours. Many of those ticket purchasers were going to travel hundreds (thousands in my case) to attend this game.

Third, as evidenced by the videos and news excerpts, the Canadian team was being harassed and threatened. I do not think this was the work of the victim families and suggests other forces at work.

Fourth, Canada (and others) cannot have it both ways. They can either separate sports and politics or mix them. They cannot selectively do it when it comes to Iran. Same thing with human rights, etc, etc. Double-standards only highlights their hypocrisy.

Fifth, according to a Canadian report, the shooting down was an accident. Yes due to severe incompetence, but nevertheless an accident. At least IR did not award a medal to the person pulling the trigger. During the Afghan war, US army killed four Canadians and injured eight others in Afghanistan. It was an accident as well due to the mistake of the Americans. Should Canada have cancelled any of the games with US?

-------------------------

This action changes the rules of the game now. Should Palestinians threaten Canadian athletes every time they compete against Israelis? Oh...wait...Thats is called terrorism....... Using terror to achieve political means!!

Listen, you make some good points. But your last few posts have some absolutist statements and you are idealistic.

Politicians are not going to stand up for what is right etc. Pretty much none of them will. In a relative democracy (as Canada is), politicians will do what gets them more votes. That is good politics and Trudeau is a good politician. You may think he is a dancing clown...but he will be the PM of Canada for at least 8 years or so and that means he is successful. We have no hard evidence that the government of Canada interfered in CSA decision. I believe Trudeau's mild disapproval was a minor factor but the other parties were pushing for much more robust action.

Regarding Iran and the flight etc...please rethink some of your position. Let us assume that the actual shooting was a complete error of a single SAM operator. You say that Iran should have closed its airport/airspace. I totally agree with you. By not closing its airspace, IRI was negligent. Negligence causing death is not intentional murder but t is still criminal negligence. Legally it is still criminal. So at the very best, IRI action was criminal..this is a deduction of the statements you made in your own posts. They did not come out and admit fault but tried to hide many things until it was clearly out there that the downing was by IRI. And when you have a government that constantly lies, nobody believes what they say, not even themselves (see Zarif comments).

Canada has a huge affinity and historic bind to USA and GB. It maintains its relationships with them despite their many murderous actions, past and present. We can be all upset about it etc but it is a fact. The head of my state, Canada, is the queen of England. Furthermore, it needs UK and USA for security etc. Iran does not hold such position etc.

Hamed Esmailion clearly stated that they will work openly to scuttle the deal. So while the families may or may not have been directly involved, clearly a green light was given to others to use all legal means, heckling included, to stop this deal.

I am one who would loved to have watched the game, and would have asked for a minute of silence to honor the victims. But the hurt is too much just now for many people...not necessarily a majority, but enough people to want this game stopped.

Fifa has sanctioned political interference by excluding Russia NT from the WC. So when Fifa breaks its own ideals (and maybe even rules), I doubt CSA will be punished by Fifa.

[armen]

I have seen that video. It is neither here nor there. As I said, external reports concluded it was an accident due to sheer incompetence heightened by the military tensions on that day. What IR should have done was close the airports, but did not. It is on them, but does not imply an intentional act.

The person appointed by IR to investigate the airplane's downing said the decision to keep open the airport/airspace was intentional, not accidental, and was done consciously by the IRGC, as explained:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/aud...s752-1.5636450

[nisfejahan]

The person appointed by IR to investigate the airplane's downing said the decision to keep open the airport/airspace was intentional, not accidental, and was done consciously by the IRGC, as explained:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/aud...s752-1.5636450

Yes, they should have closed the airport. But does not mean the shooing down was intentional. For god's sake, look at the Canadian government report. Why are we a nation of conspiracy theorists and extremists.

It is ok to believe that they were incompetent. Would it be very surprising?!!! Look at the IFF situation.

In any case, the issue is 2 folds:

1- Canada succumbing to terrorists who were threatening the safety of their own team.

2- The double standard, hypocrisy whenever Iran is involved;

9/11 Saudi hijackers..... but Iran has to pay.
US shooting down Iran Air.. Iran's fault.
Iran boycotting competition with Israel.... Iran's fault for mixing politics and sports
Canada cancelling this game.... Iran's fault again.
KSA attacking and murdering Yemenis... Iran's fault.
Israel occupying another country and comfiting crimes everyday.... Iran's fault.
Lebanon's territory being occupied by Israel... Iran's fault again.
Bahrain's occupation by KSA... You guessed it, Iran's fault.

[Farhad21]

keep mixing politics w/ football we gonna get kicked outa Qatar, some of us want to watch tm play, STOP IT

[armen]

Canada succumbing to terrorists who were threatening the safety of their own team.

Don't forget about the IR terrorists who have been threatening the safety of the victims' families for the last nearly 2 and a half years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk0pCMa43v0