Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country's opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto because Canada refused him a visa. The decision, based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom, has sparked a diplomatic row between Ghana and Canada.
Partey, 32, a former Arsenal midfielder who now plays for Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He has not been convicted of any crime. Canada's immigration rules state that "if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada." The Canadian government assessed Partey's case individually and denied his visa.
“Explains the controversy over Thomas Partey's visa denial for the World Cup and its implications.”
Ghana's government swiftly condemned the decision as "high-handed and extremely unfair," sending a note of protest requesting a review. In a statement, Ghana's foreign ministry said: "The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction. The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice." Canada's immigration department responded that hosting major events does not change immigration laws, and every person seeking entry is assessed individually based on facts and law. Fifa said it is not involved in host countries' immigration processes.
This is not the first immigration controversy at this World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The US refused entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been due to officiate at the tournament. Partey, however, was granted a US visa and is with Ghana's squad in Boston, Massachusetts. A US Customs and Border Protection official noted that Partey "has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa."
For UK readers, Partey is a familiar figure from his five seasons at Arsenal, and the case highlights how athletes with pending criminal cases can face travel restrictions. It also raises questions about the balance between a country's sovereign right to enforce immigration laws and the principle of presumption of innocence.
Q: Why was Thomas Partey denied a visa for Canada? Canada denied Partey a visa because of pending criminal proceedings in the UK where he faces charges of rape and sexual assault. Canadian immigration law allows denial of entry to individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime, even without a conviction.
Q: Can Partey play in other World Cup matches? Yes. Partey is with Ghana's squad in Boston and is eligible to play in their other Group L matches against England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June. He only misses the opener in Toronto.
Q: What has Ghana's government said about the decision? Ghana's government described Canada's decision as "high-handed and extremely unfair" and sent a formal note of protest requesting a review. They argue it violates the presumption of innocence because Partey has not been convicted.
Partey remains with Ghana's training base in Boston. Ghana could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L, but it is unclear whether Canada would again deny him entry. For now, he will focus on helping Ghana advance from a group that also includes England and Croatia.