Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, currently on trial in Britain for rape charges, has lost a legal bid to enter Canada for his national team’s World Cup opener in Toronto.
Canadian authorities denied the Villarreal player a visa due to the ongoing charges, preventing him from playing against Panama on Wednesday. In response, Ghana’s government sought an injunction in federal court to overturn Ottawa’s decision, but Judge Roger Lafreniere dismissed the challenge, according to CBC.
Ahead of the ruling, Ghana’s head coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters in Toronto that his team would be prepared, regardless of Partey’s availability. “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. When the decision comes, we are ready,” he said.
Panama’s head coach, Thomas Christiansen, also commented on Partey’s absence, expressing confidence in Ghana’s depth. “They have a lot of other footballers who can take on his role. Ghana would not be weaker in Partey’s absence. They have a lot more experience than we have,” he said.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa condemned Canada’s decision as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” describing Partey as a key member of the team. The Ghanaian government has filed an official protest and formally requested Ottawa review the decision.
Canada’s foreign ministry said it maintains regular diplomatic engagement with Ghana but declined to comment on discussions about Partey’s exclusion, stating that entry decisions are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The IRCC reiterated that hosting major events does not alter Canada’s immigration laws, and every applicant is assessed individually under the law.
Partey faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault in Britain, stemming from accusations by four women between 2020 and 2022. He denies all allegations.
