Ghana’s government criticises visa denial for Thomas Partey
Ghana’s Government has condemned the denial of Thomas Partey’s visa by Canadian authorities, describing the action as “high-handed and extremely unfair,” following his indictment on multiple serious charges, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old midfielder faces trial at Southwark Crown Court on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, leading to his visa application being rejected. Ghana’s foreign ministry responded by issuing an official note of protest, urging Canada to reconsider its decision.
A statement from the Ghanaian government expressed “strong reservations” regarding the basis of the visa denial, highlighting concerns about fairness and the impact of unproven charges in the absence of a judicial verdict. “While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” the statement added.
In response, a spokesman for Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) asserted that major sporting events do not influence the country’s immigration regulations. “Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” the spokesman emphasized.
Ghana’s campaign in the upcoming tournament is set to kick off at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17, but Partey will be unable to participate. He has been training with the national team in the United States since June 4 in preparation for the competition.
Initially charged in July 2025, Partey faced five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to alleged incidents involving three women between 2021 and 2022. He pleaded not guilty in September. Additional charges were brought against him in February 2026, related to alleged offences in 2020.
The trial, which was originally slated for November, may now be postponed until early 2027, with Partey under bail conditions requiring him to notify authorities before any travel abroad. FIFA confirmed the visa refusal, citing that Partey will miss Ghana’s opening match against Panama due to the Canadian Government’s refusal. The governing body noted that it does not influence immigration decisions, as such matters rest with the host governments.
As Ghana prepares for their group matches against England and Croatia later in June, the saga reflects not only the complexities of sport intersecting with legal issues but also the broader implications for athletes facing serious allegations in the public eye.
