Thomas Partey is set to miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday after the former Arsenal midfielder had his visa application refused by the Canadian government
Thomas Partey has been refused entry to Canada ahead of Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama on Wednesday. Ex-Arsenal midfielder Partey was selected for the Ghana squad for the 48-team tournament, but last July was charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London between 2020 and 2022.
Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal in Spain, has denied all the charges and a trial has been scheduled for June 2027, which permitted the midfielder to represent his country at this summer’s World Cup. However, the 32-year-old is anticipated to miss Wednesday’s match against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto after being denied a visa into Canada.
“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, June 17, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement released to the Press Association.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
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