N.B. youth soccer player ineligible for national tournament due to paperwork error

Hadi Mardikian moved with his family from North Vancouver, B.C., to Petitcodiac, N.B., in August 2024 to be closer to family in Nova Scotia.

He joined Codiac Soccer almost immediately, finding community and success.

"Since moving here, I've had opportunities that I never would have had in B.C, and … I'm so grateful," said Mardikian.

He played for Codiac's under-17 team. He also represented New Brunswick at this past summer's Canada Games in Newfoundland and Labrador.

So, it came as a surprise when Codiac Soccer was informed by Soccer Canada that Mardikian wouldn't be able to play in the under-17 national championships in Kamloops, B.C.

"To find out at this eleventh hour is a real setback for the team and for the boys, Hadi in particular," said Michael Parry, an assistant coach with the under-17 team.

Soccer Canada says Mardikian is still registered in B.C. and missed the deadline to switch to a new team.

"The rules pertaining to interprovincial transfers have been in place for quite some time and well known," says an email from Soccer Canada spokesperson Paulo Senra.

It's unclear who should have filed that paperwork, but Mardikian says it isn't his fault. He said Soccer Canada is punishing him for an adult's error that "I think is obviously not fair."

The team and the Mardikian family have tried to fix the problem.

"We contacted his old club, we contacted B.C. Soccer so that the paperwork could be done accordingly," said Viken Mardikian, Hadi's father. "But, obviously, Soccer Canada came back and said it was too late."

The team has filed an appeal for an exception with Soccer Canada on the grounds the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre says no minor should be punished for administrative errors beyond their control.