Iran Soccer Chief Says He Chose to Return After Canada Airport Delay

Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj says Canadian officials cleared him to enter the country for the FIFA Congress, but the delegation chose to turn back after being held for three hours and questioned at a Toronto airport.

Taj, a former member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said he was asked about his ties to the group but was ultimately allowed into the country for the pre-World Cup gathering in Vancouver.

Canadian law prohibits IRGC members from entering the country.

Taj said FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered to send a jet to bring the delegation back to Canada, but they refused. He also said FIFA had rejected Tehran's request to hold World Cup matches on neutral ground.