Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after a Canadian judge rejected his emergency appeal to enter the country – a decision triggered by the midfielder’s failure to disclose that he faces multiple rape charges in the UK.
Justice Roger Lafrenière, who heard the application in Ottawa on Tuesday, ruled that Partey had not shown grounds for emergency relief, siding with immigration officials who had denied the 33-year-old a visa. The judge noted in his ruling that “the applicant failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK” and that Partey’s application had been refused because “having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient” to find a person inadmissible.
“Thomas Partey loses visa appeal, misses Ghana's World Cup opener after not disclosing UK rape charges”
Partey, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal after five years at Arsenal, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four women between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year. In an affidavit filed with the court, Partey insisted: “I have not been convicted of any offence. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent.” He also pledged to remain under team supervision and leave Canada according to the tournament schedule, warning that being unable to travel “would materially affect Ghana’s ability to play”.
The Ghanaian government had intervened, calling Canada’s original refusal “high-handed and extremely unfair”, and filed the emergency appeal – but it was rejected. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told the BBC: “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.”
FIFA, in a statement, confirmed Partey would be unable to travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, adding: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries … the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa.”
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz, who earlier said he had “no qualms” over selecting Partey, told reporters on Tuesday: “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. We are waiting for a decision. When the decision comes, we are ready.”
Partey, capped 57 times and an ever-present at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will stay with the squad for matches in the United States – against England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June. Ghana could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish runners-up in Group L, but they will have to start the tournament without their most experienced midfielder.