Thomas Partey to Miss Ghana's World Cup Opener
Thomas Partey will be absent from Ghana's World Cup opening match against Panama after a federal court in Ottawa rejected an appeal against the refusal of his visa application to enter Canada.
The 33-year-old midfielder was denied entry due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom. The Ghanaian government had requested special permission for Partey to enter Canada briefly to participate in the match scheduled for Wednesday in Toronto.
A judge ruled there was "no serious issue in the underlying refusal" of the visa, citing that Partey "failed to disclose in his application that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK."
Partey, formerly of Arsenal and currently playing for Spanish club Villarreal, faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault. These allegations involve four different women and span the period between 2020 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued a statement to the BBC:
"Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws. Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies."
Ghana Coach Comments on Partey's Situation
Thomas Partey has earned over 50 caps for Ghana since his international debut in June 2016. Prior to the tournament, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed no reservations about selecting Partey for the squad.
When asked about the visa issue again on Tuesday, Queiroz stated:
"My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready."
Ghana's World Cup schedule includes a match against England in Boston on 23 June and a game versus Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June. Should Ghana finish as runners-up in Group L, they may return to Canada for the round of 32.
Background
Thomas Partey previously represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighting his experience on the international stage. His absence from the opening game marks a significant setback for the Ghanaian team.
More information and related content can be found through the following resources:
- Play 's new World Cup predictor game
- World Cup fixtures and group standings
- How to watch the World Cup on the BBC
- Everything you need to know about the World Cup
