football authorities Canada canceled this Thursday a friendly match scheduled against Iran After receiving much criticism, led by the Prime Minister himself, Justin Trudeau.

“Canada Soccer canceled the match international which was scheduled for June 5, 2022 against iran as part of the men’s national team preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the organization said in a statement, without giving an explanation for the decision.

The friendly match was to be played in Vancouver in one of the few international match windows available for the preparation of the worldto which Canada ranked for the first time since Mexico-1986.

The decision comes after several weeks of controversy surrounding the party organizationwhich was described by Trudeau like a “bad idea“.

Criticism also came from families of passengers killed in the shooting down of a International Ukrainian airlines by the armed forces of Iran shortly after takeoff Tehran on January 8, 2020.

the tragedy, which Iran He later said it was the product of an error, caused 176 deathsbetween them 85 Canadians.

The cancellation of the friendly match was hosted Thursday by the Canadian government.

“We congratulate Canada Soccer for making this decision and we look forward to cheering on our men’s soccer team during the World Cup 2022“, declared the Minister of Sports, Pascale St-Onge.

‘Bad idea’

Speaking to local media on Tuesday, Trudeau reiterated his opposition to the party implying that the entry into the country of members of the selection of Iran.

“I expressed my concern because I think this match was a bad idea.. I can assure you that Sport Canada (the national sports agency) did not provide funding for the game,” said Trudeau.

The Prime Minister added that with regard to the registration of players and teams to Canada“the agencies of border services make professional and independent decisions on the eligibility of persons entering the country.

The pressure on the canadian soccer federation had intensified throughout the week, especially after reports emerged that the agency was paying $400,000 to Iran for their participation in the meeting.

“This behavior of Canada Soccer is disgusting“wrote on Twitter the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, Ralph Goodale.

“This calls into question both competition and organization values“said Goodale, who served as special adviser to Trudeau in the air tragedy of 2020.

For her part, the Conservative MP Melissa Lantman accused the authorities of provoking the families of the victims”reliving pain and trauma“by inviting Iranian footballers to Canada.

“The last thing our country should do is engage in cordial dialogue with a oppressive and dangerous regime“, wrote lantsman.

The legislator welcomed Satisfaction decision to cancel Thursday’s meeting.

“A late but welcome decision on the path to justice,” he said on Twitter.

The canadian team qualified in March for the second world of its history after brilliant qualifying rounds of the concacaf where he finished ahead of Mexico Yes United States.