Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for World Cup
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has had his visa appeal denied by a Canadian court, meaning he will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup game, reports BritPanorama.
The midfielder was refused entry due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK.
Ghana’s Government had launched a legal challenge in a bid to overturn the decision, with the appeal hearing taking place at a federal court in Ottawa. Judge Roger Lafreniere dismissed the appeal, writing that Partey sought “extraordinary, mandatory interlocutory relief” that would require Canada to set aside a “lawfully rendered inadmissibility finding and facilitate his entry for a specific event.”
The 33-year-old, who now plays for Villarreal in Spain, remains one of the most experienced members of the national team and has earned more than 50 caps for his country. Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022, with a trial scheduled for next year.
Canadian authorities had previously defended their position. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated: “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.”
The dispute has created an unwanted distraction for Ghana ahead of one of the biggest matches in the nation’s recent football history. Head coach Carlos Queiroz had clarified before the tournament that he was comfortable selecting Partey despite the off-field issues surrounding the player. The midfielder was included in Ghana’s World Cup squad and had been expected to play a key role during the competition.
Ghana have been drawn alongside Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L and face a difficult route to the knockout stages. Following their clash with Panama, they will take on England in Boston before concluding the group phase against Croatia in Philadelphia. Should Ghana progress as runners-up, they could find themselves returning to Canada later in the tournament.
As the tournament approaches, the absence of a key player like Partey could alter Ghana’s strategy and impact the morale of the squad, highlighting the intricate relationship between sport and legal affairs.
