Canada has denied Ghanaian international Thomas Partey entry into the country ahead of his team’s World Cup match against Panama, FIFA confirmed.
The Villarreal midfielder was refused entry before the Group L fixture in Toronto, with the decision appearing to stem from the rape and sexual assault charges he faces in the United Kingdom. Partey denies the allegations.
Ghana lodged a formal protest over the decision on Saturday. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa called Canada’s decision “rigorous and extremely unfair,” writing on social media that Partey is “a key member of Ghana’s senior national team.” Ghana has sent an official note of protest to Canada, urging the country to “reconsider its unfortunate decision.”
FIFA confirmed the visa rejection in a statement. “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will not be able to travel from the Ghanaian team’s base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada to participate in the first match against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, as his visa application was rejected by the Canadian government,” the organization said, adding that it is not involved in the entry procedures of host countries.
Canadian immigration authorities said they do not comment on individual cases but noted that a person deemed a “security risk” could be denied entry.
Partey, who previously played for Arsenal in London, faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with allegations brought by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to stand trial next year.
