from HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to world@lemmy.world on 18 Apr 13:42
https://sh.itjust.works/post/58731075
Media reports published this week suggested that Palestinian soccer officials were barred from entering Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress slated to take place in Vancouver later this month.
But CBC News has learned that while emails from FIFA suggest Palestinian officials may be experiencing hurdles in the visa approval process, it appears that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has yet to issue final visa decisions.
The Guardian reported Thursday that three unnamed officials from the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) “have had applications for visas to enter Canada rejected” ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30. The annual legislative event allows all 212 member countries to discuss key issues in soccer.
This year’s FIFA Congress and World Cup, which includes Canadian host cities Toronto and Vancouver, comes amid PFA’s ongoing grievances with Israeli football clubs operating in illegal settlements within Palestinian territories.
Kat Vilarev, a sports law expert familiar with the situation, told CBC that the PFA’s attendance at the FIFA Congress is key.
“It is the only annual event at which FIFA member associations can feed into global football governance,” she said.
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