Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have hit out at the decision to block midfielder Thomas Partey from entering Canada as ‘high-handed and extremely unfair’.
FIFA have confirmed on Friday that Partey would not be allowed entry into Canada and will not be able to play in his country’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on June 17.
The former Arsenal midfielder, 33, faces charges of rape and sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty in London.
Ghana are in England’s group and will play against the Three Lions in Boston on June 23. He arrived in the US with his team-mates on June 4. They are based in Rhode Island.
A FIFA spokesperson said: ‘FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government.
‘FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.
Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada as a result of the charges against him
‘As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.’
On Saturday, the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement, criticising the decision as ‘high-handed and extremely unfair’.
It added: ‘While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality.
‘Accordingly, Ghana is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with the relevant Canadian authorities on this matter….
‘Government further notes Mr Partey’s selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the significant national and global sporting considerations at stake, and therefore urges Canada to rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and cardinal principles of common law.’
According to the Canadian government website visitors who have committed crimes can be denied entry. While he has been charged, Partey is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
In total, Partey has been charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He is due to face trial at Southwark Crown Court, London.
His trial was originally scheduled for November, but has faced delays.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2020 and 2022.
The Met Police began an investigation in February 2022. Despite his arrest, Partey, 32, continued to play for Arsenal until his contract expired in 2025.
