Ghana's Partey denied Canadian entry for World Cup amid rape case

by · UPI

June 12 (UPI) -- Canada denied Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey's visa, which will keep him from playing in a World Cup game next week against Panama, FIFA said Friday.

The 32-year-old was initially set to stand trial in November after pleading not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom. Four women made the allegations between 2020 and 2022. His trial is now expected to be delayed until 2027.

"FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's team base camp in Boston to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday ...as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," FIFA said in a statement

"FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."

Related

The Canadian government stipulates that "if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada."

Partey will remain at Bryant University in Providence, R.I., where Ghana is holding its base camp. He will be available for Ghana's second and third group-stage games, which will both be played in the United States.

Partey posted photos from Providence on Friday on his Instagram story.

The midfielder started his senior career at Atletico Madrid. He then played for Arsenal and his current club, Villarreal, which signed him just days after he was released on bail in August.

The club's pursuit and signing of the free agent midfielder drew criticism from support groups, including some on social media who used a hashtag translating to "no to Thomas Partey." The supporters also created a petition to decry the move.

A large group of fans also targeted Partey with chants during Villarreal's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in a Champions League group stage match in London, screaming: "Thomas Partey, we know what you are."

Partey also played on loan at Mallorca and Almeria earlier in his career. He made 58 previous appearances for Ghana's senior team.

Ghana sits at No. 73 in the FIFA world rankings. It will take on No. 34 Panama in a Group L opener Wednesday in Toronto. Ghana will face No. 4 England on June 23 in Foxborough, Mass. The Ghanaians will meet No. 11 Croatia in their final group stage match June 27 in Philadelphia.

Knockout stage games also will take place throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, clouding Partey's future if Ghana advances out of Group L.

The Ghanaians advanced past the group stage in two of their last four World Cup appearances. Those runs included a Round of 16 appearance in 2006 and a quarterfinal debut in 2010. Ghana beat the United States in the Round of 16 to reach that quarterfinal, which they lost to Uruguay.

Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Elisha Owusu are other midfielders on Ghana's 26-man roster.

Top 10 soccer players to watch at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on December 06, 2022. Photo by Chris Brunskill/UPI | License Photo