Canada Soccer leadership failed its men's team in Iran debacle

In March, Canada's men qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years. It took Canada Soccer about six weeks to remind everyone why it took so long.

When it was announced in May that Canada would host an exhibition against Iran in Vancouver on June 5, the families of the victims of Flight PS752 were among the first to call for the game's cancellation. The Ukraine Airlines plane was shot down by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2020, killing 176 people, including 85 Canadians and permanent residents.

While pressure mounted, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated the painfully obvious: "I think it wasn't a very good idea to invite the Iranian soccer team to Canada." Canada Soccer admitted that Canadian players had privately been saying the same and after initially digging in, called off the game last week. Lightly regarded Panama was later named as a last-minute replacement.

From the outside, the scrubbed match seems like a significant unforced error. Did no one within Canada Soccer's leadership ranks see what just about every Canadian could see?

"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 organization said in a statement, its only discussion of the matter.

WATCH / Canada Soccer cancels controversial match against Iran 

But among close observers, there's been a looming dread that the on-field performances of our national teams have started to outstrip the off-field capabilities of the institution. From its shocking handling of former youth coach Bob Birarda's sexual assaults to its inability to meet fan demand for replica jerseys, Canada Soccer keeps falling short in ways large and small.

Now, it's: