ACCRA — Ghana’s authorities mentioned Saturday it plans authorized motion over Canada’s “high-handed and intensely unfair” choice to disclaim midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for the nation’s World Cup opener whereas he awaits a rape trial in London.
Partey returned to the Ghana males’s nationwide staff base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, after being refused entry to Canada for Wednesday’s match in opposition to Panama in Toronto.
The 32-year-old has pleaded not responsible to a number of allegations from a number of girls relationship to his time at English membership Arsenal between 2020 and 2025. He’s scheduled to face trial in November or later.
Ghana’s authorities mentioned it “reaffirms the basic authorized precept of the presumption of innocence,” some extent additionally cited by coach Carlos Queiroz when choosing Partey for the World Cup squad.
“Whereas respecting Canada’s sovereign proper to implement its immigration legal guidelines, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven fees within the absence of a judicial willpower raises basic questions of equity and proportionality,” the Ministry of International Affairs mentioned in a press release. “Accordingly, Ghana is pursuing lively diplomatic engagements with the related Canadian authorities on this matter.”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada mentioned Friday it makes its choices on a case-by-case foundation and that internet hosting main occasions doesn’t change its legal guidelines.
“Canada is proud to be a bunch nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a profitable occasion whereas sustaining the security and safety of Canadians,” the assertion learn. “Canada has been constant that internet hosting main occasions doesn’t change Canada’s immigration legal guidelines. Each particular person looking for to return to Canada is assessed individually, primarily based on the information obtainable and the regulation that applies.”
Partey will be capable to play June 23 when Ghana performs England in Foxborough, Mass. Ghana concludes group play June 27 in opposition to Croatia in Philadelphia.
Ghana’s authorities mentioned it issued an “official be aware of protest” to International Affairs Canada on Thursday, asking that Canada evaluate its “unlucky” choice.
It additionally mentioned it’s all diplomatic, authorized and administrative avenues underneath Canadian and worldwide regulation to have the choice rescinded.
“Together with, the place applicable, judicial evaluate earlier than the Federal Courtroom of Canada, to make sure full and truthful consideration of all related authorized and factual points in accordance with due course of,” the assertion continued.
“Authorities additional notes Mr. Partey’s choice for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the numerous nationwide and world sporting concerns at stake, and subsequently urges Canada to rescind its choice within the curiosity of equity and cardinal ideas of widespread regulation.”
Partey’s lawyer mentioned in March that the participant intends to plead not responsible to 2 new fees of rape after a girl alleged Partey twice raped her on the identical day in December 2020. He had individually been awaiting trial on 5 counts of rape associated to 2 different girls and one rely of sexual assault involving one other girl, and the brand new allegations arose after the primary set of fees had been publicized.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed June 13, 2026.
The Canadian Press
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