Officials from Ghana have filed an appeal against Canada’s decision to deny entry to midfielder Thomas Partey, who is awaiting trial on sexual assault charges. This situation arises just before the team’s first World Cup match.
A Canadian federal court heard the appeal on Tuesday, just one day ahead of Ghana’s upcoming match against Panama in Toronto.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the decision to deny Partey a visa, labeling it as “high-handed and extremely unfair.”
Partey faces multiple allegations from several women linked to his time at English club Arsenal between 2020 and 2025. He has played for Villarreal in Spain this past season and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In March, Partey’s attorney stated that the player plans to plead not guilty to two additional rape charges stemming from an incident in December 2020.
Previously, he was awaiting trial for five counts of rape involving two other women, as well as one count of sexual assault related to another woman. The subsequent allegations emerged after the initial charges were made public.
Ghana’s coach, Carlos Queiroz, included Partey in the World Cup squad, citing a presumption of innocence.
Ghana’s base for the World Cup is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Even if the appeal is unsuccessful, Partey will still be able to play on June 23 when Ghana takes on England in Massachusetts.
Ghana concludes their group stage on June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.