Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama after a Canadian judge rejected his emergency visa appeal – the latest high-profile case of a footballer being barred from entering a country because of criminal proceedings. The Ghana midfielder, who plays for Spanish side Villarreal and formerly for Arsenal, was denied entry to Canada after failing to disclose that he faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault in the United Kingdom. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due to stand trial next year.
Under Canadian immigration law, a person can be deemed inadmissible if there are reasonable grounds to believe they have committed an offence – a conviction is not required. The federal court in Ottawa upheld the visa refusal, noting that Partey "failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK." The court also said there was "no serious issue in the underlying refusal" of the visa. Canada's immigration authority, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, stated that "hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws" and that every applicant is assessed individually.
“Explains how athletes' visa applications can be refused due to pending criminal proceedings.”
Visa denials for athletes facing criminal charges are not new. Countries have the sovereign right to control who enters their borders, even for major sporting events. In Partey's case, the Ghanaian government called the decision "high-handed and extremely unfair" and appealed, but FIFA said it is not involved in immigration processes. The host government ultimately decides who receives a visa.
For UK readers, this case highlights an important legal principle: you can be denied entry to a foreign country – including Canada, the US, and others – even if you have not been convicted of a crime. Pending charges, especially those involving serious offences like sexual violence, can trigger inadmissibility. Additionally, misrepresentation on a visa application – such as failing to disclose charges – can have long-term consequences, potentially affecting future travel.
Q: Can a country deny a visa to a footballer because of criminal charges? Yes. Countries have the right to refuse entry to anyone they consider inadmissible, including those facing criminal charges abroad. Canada's immigration authority states that "having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient" – a conviction is not required.
Q: What happens if a footballer lies on a visa application? Partey's case shows that misrepresentation can lead to visa denial. He claimed he had never been arrested or charged. Canadian officials flagged this as misrepresentation, which can permanently affect future visa applications.
Q: Could Partey still play in other World Cup matches? Yes. He was allowed into the US for Ghana's training camp and matches in Boston and Philadelphia. But he cannot travel to Canada, so he will miss the match in Toronto. If Ghana finish as runners-up in their group, they could return to Canada for a knockout game – but Partey would still be barred.
What happens next: Partey's trial in the UK is scheduled for next year. Ghana will play without him against Panama, then face England on 23 June and Croatia on 27 June. Head coach Carlos Queiroz said he is "ready to play with the cards that I have in front of me." Canada's stance may influence how other host countries handle similar cases in future tournaments.