TFC, Montreal announce plans for home matches, exemption not yet granted
The government of Canada has clarified that a National Interest Exemption has not been issued to Toronto FC and CF Montreal ahead of their campaign, with home games scheduled for the first time in over a year.
Earlier Wednesday, both sides announced they received clearance to play matches in their home cities for the first time since September 2020. However, federal immigration minister Marco Mendicino responded with a statement saying the government is still reviewing MLS' proposal.
"On the advice of public health officials at every level of government, the National Interest Exemption protocol has been used to provide exemptions to mandatory quarantine requirements for a number of professional sports leagues," Mendicino said in the statement obtained by 680 News' Cormac Mac Sweeney. "In each case, the government has worked closely with provincial and municipal partners to ensure that leagues have implemented rigorous health protocols to protect the health and safety of all Canadians.
"The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with provincial and municipal public health officials to review Major League Soccer's COVID-19 protocols and its request for a National Interest Exemption to the quarantine requirements. No NIE has been issued at this time."
Mendicino added that under the current border restrictions, fully vaccinated travelers, including those with work permits, are allowed to enter Canada without quarantining.
TFC president Bill Manning told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle that the club's Saturday contest against Orlando City is a go "under current guidelines." Those guidelines include only fully vaccinated players being allowed to play at BMO Field.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed to Carlisle that anyone who is either fully vaccinated or has quarantined for 14 days after entering Canada is not subject to an NIE. This makes it likely that the contests can go ahead as planned.
The Reds expect to welcome back up to 7,000 fans for Saturday's game versus the Lions before bumping capacity to 15,000 for next Wednesday's contest against the New York Red Bulls.
Montreal can host up to 5,000 at Stade Saputo for Saturday's fixture against Cincinnati FC.
Tickets to both matches will be made available to members and frontline health care workers.
The two Canadian teams have played all of their home matches in Florida this season.
"The importance of this return home for our team can't be overstated," Manning said in a statement earlier Wednesday. "It has been a long, hard time on the road due to pandemic protocols and we have greatly missed the energy and support of our fans at BMO Field.
"Our return to Canada gave the team an incredible boost this week and we look forward to an emotional night at BMO Field with our fans on Saturday."
TFC hasn't played in front of spectators at BMO Field since March 7, 2020, against New York City FC.