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

Victoria Walton · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 05, 2025 2:21 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 5

Hadi Mardikian moved with his household from North Vancouver, B.C., to Petitcodiac, N.B., successful August 2024 to beryllium person to household successful Nova Scotia.

He joined Codiac Soccer astir immediately, uncovering assemblage and success.

"Since moving here, I've had opportunities that I ne'er would person had successful B.C, and … I'm truthful grateful," said Mardikian.

He played for Codiac's under-17 team. He besides represented New Brunswick astatine this past summer's Canada Games successful Newfoundland and Labrador.

So, it came arsenic a astonishment erstwhile Codiac Soccer was informed by Soccer Canada that Mardikian wouldn't beryllium capable to play successful the under-17 nationalist championships successful Kamloops, B.C.

"To find retired astatine this eleventh hr is simply a existent setback for the squad and for the boys, Hadi successful particular," said Michael Parry, an adjunct manager with the under-17 team.

Paperwork was ne'er filed

Soccer Canada says Mardikian is inactive registered successful B.C. and missed the deadline to power to a caller team.

"The rules pertaining to interprovincial transfers person been successful spot for rather immoderate clip and good known," says an email from Soccer Canada spokesperson Paulo Senra.

It's unclear who should person 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 deliberation is evidently not fair."

Assistant manager Michael Parry says that an underage subordinate shouldn't beryllium punished for an administrative mistake made by adults. (Victoria Walton/CBC)

The squad and the Mardikian household person tried to hole the problem.

"We contacted his aged club, we contacted B.C. Soccer truthful that the paperwork could beryllium done accordingly," said Viken Mardikian, Hadi's father. "But, obviously, Soccer Canada came backmost and said it was excessively late."

The squad has filed an entreaty for an objection with Soccer Canada on the grounds the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre says nary insignificant should beryllium punished for administrative errors beyond their control.

"I consciousness sad, I consciousness similar I don't merit this," said Mardikian.

An important portion of the team

Mardikian is 1 of the team's 2 goalkeepers.

At a caller fundraiser for the team's upcoming trip, Mardikian's teammates spoke astir however important helium is to the team. 

The Codiac Soccer U17 boys squad volition alert to Kamloops for the nationalist title tourney connected Monday, with oregon without Mardikian. (Victoria Walton/CBC)

"It's truly disappointing," said teammate Marco Gaudet. "Everybody wants Hadi connected our team, everybody wishes Hadi could travel play with us."

"As a goalkeeper you person a precise large occupation to do, and he's a precise important portion of the team," said teammate Owen Douglas.

Mardikian said helium inactive hopes thing tin beryllium done earlier the tournament, which begins Wednesday. But the Codiac squad leaves Monday.

"I should beryllium focusing connected going to nationals close now, but I'm not," Mardikian said. "I'm focusing connected getting petitions signed, telling radical to email shot Canada to effort to flip that decision."