The Ghanaian government officially protested to Canadian authorities on Saturday over their refusal to grant a visa to international Thomas Partey, who will be tried for rape in 2027 in Great Britain.
“Ghana has sent an official note of protest” to Canada, asking it to reverse this “unfortunate decision,” said Ghanaian Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Former Arsenal midfielder, currently at Villarreal in the Spanish championship, Partey, 32, will therefore not be able to travel to Toronto, where Ghana will launch its World Cup on June 17 against Panama.
Considered a key element of the Black Stars, Partey (57 caps, 15 goals) was however able to enter the United States without problem, where his selection established its base camp in Massachusetts, at Bryant University in Boston.
He may be fielded by the Portuguese coach of the Black Stars, Carlos Queiroz, during the two other group matches, on June 23 against England in Boston and on June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia in Group L.
Accused by four women
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and another count of sexual assault, in connection with accusations made by four women between 2020 and 2022, when he wore the jersey of London club Arsenal (2020-2025).
“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana believes that relying on unproven accusations in the absence of a judicial decision raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” continues the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
FIFA confirmed on Friday that the Ghanaian international would not be able to travel to Toronto, specifying that it was not “involved in the immigration formalities of the host countries” of the World Cup. “As with all FIFA events,” added the world football body, “it is up to the government of the host country to determine who receives a visa and is admitted to the country.”
