England have no concerns over Ivan Toney’s ability to enter Canada should the Three Lions have to play in the country. Ghana’s Thomas Partey will be unable to play in their World Cup opener on Wednesday after Canadian officials informed the group that he would not be granted a visa.
The former Arsenal midfielder has been charged with a number of sex offences, has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. While the Canadian government states it will not permit those who have committed offences into the country, Partey has not been convicted.
As Inside Sport previously reported, Toney was permitted to travel to the US as he is on unconditional bail after he was arrested in connection with an alleged assault in a London club in December.
At the time it was suggested that the former Brentford striker, now playing in Saudi Arabia, may have believed he was the subject of an attempted theft, as he was wearing jewellery and an expensive watch at the time.
Should England finish second in their group they will play in Toronto on July 2, in the round of 32. Given the difference in the severity of the allegations and the fact Toney has not been charged, it is highly unlikely that the 30-year-old would face any problems in the event a trip over the border was needed.
England have no concerns that Ivan Toney may not obtain a Canadian visa – after his arrest in London last year
It comes after Ghana’s Thomas Partey was denied a visa by the Canadian authorities earlier this week
The NBA finals have proved a welcome distraction for the England camp. According to insiders, many of the squad have been glued to the action, which saw the New York Knicks end a 53-year drought with victory over San Antonio Spurs in a best-of-seven series.
Indeed on Saturday night, amid a tornado warning and a ferocious storm, players hunkered down in front of screens airing the game at their hotel. At one point, thanks to the brisk but brutal weather, the connection on the televisions went down.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel is among those with a love for the sport – and within minutes of their arrival at the Inn at Meadowbrook players were spotted shooting hoops on a quickly erected temporary court.
England fans are being urged to get to stadiums earlier than they would at home. Already, World Cup venues have experienced people shortly before kick-off, which is causing long queues thanks to security checks and the amount of time needed to process tickets.
The knock-on effect is that it has led to people having to stand in often-ferocious heat for long periods. While the first match in Dallas will be indoors, temperatures outside are expected to hit 34C around kick-off.
England will play their first World Cup game at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Wednesday
The Three Lions are staying at a luxury hotel in Kansas City, Missouri (pictured)
Most of the staff at England’s hotel have been given around a month off on full pay for the duration of their stay. However, a small team has remained and is working in the coffee shop at the boutique facility.
They have been warned not to take pictures and post any information about the Three Lions on social media.
Questions are increasingly being asked about one Director of Academy Recruitment, who is said to be coming under growing scrutiny from the club’s hierarchy over his repeated encouragement of their most promising young talents to align themselves with the same agency.
The practice has reportedly left several parents feeling uncomfortable and has sparked concerns internally about potential conflicts of interest. While no wrongdoing has been alleged, the situation has prompted some within the game to ask a simple but significant question: who is really benefiting from the arrangement?
As this column predicted, the contest to become the President of the International Skiing Federation was incredibly close.
British billionaire John Eliasch went up against Alexander Ospelt, who had the backing of rival candidates and went onto win by a single vote. Perhaps tellingly, the IOC notified Eliasch within hours of the result that he was no longer an IOC member – and he was immediately removed from the members’ list on the IOC website.
Do not be surprised if the notoriously-litigious Eliasch now takes the IOC to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for alleged interference in the election.
While a ball is yet to be kicked under his ownership, Sheffield Wednesday majority shareholder David Storch is already impressing the club’s fanbase. On Sunday, a headstone was installed to mark the grave of the captain who led the club to its first title.
Ambrose Langley oversaw promotion to the First Division and then lifted the title at the end of the 1902-03 season. He had lain in an unmarked grave at Burngreave Cemetery for more than 30 years but a new headstone now takes pride of place following a campaign by two historians who raised more than £5,000.
American Storch landed in London at around 7am and, upon hearing of the event, bombed up the M1 to ensure he was there for the 10am start.
‘Feels like he’s going to be a good one,’ explained one Wednesdayite.
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
