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Image credit: Getty Images. Le 13 juin 1963. The Ghanaian government has demanded a review of Canada’s “high-handed and extremely unfair” decision to bar midfielder Thomas Partey from entering the country. The ex-Arsenal player had his visa application rejected and will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup game against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, stemming from allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.

In a statement, the Ghanaian government said it is “pursuing active diplomatic engagements” with Canadian authorities in the hope of reversing the ruling. It added that the decision appears to be based on ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK that have not led to any conviction, and reaffirmed “the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice.” The government stated it would “explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair consideration of all factual issues”. According to the Canadian government’s website, visitors with a criminal record “may not be allowed into Canada” if they have committed or been convicted of a crime. BBC Sport has contacted the Ghana Football Association for a statement. Partey is still at Ghana’s training camp in Boston. A US Customs and Border Protection official said: “The United States is aware of the ongoing court case involving Mr Partey. However, he has not been convicted of any crime and was allowed entry after being granted a visa.” Prior to the tournament, Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz stated he had no reservations about including Partey, who signed for Arsenal in 2020. He transferred to Villarreal in August after being released at the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign. Ghana face England at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on 23 June, followed by a match against Croatia on 27 June—both fixtures in which Partey is likely to participate. If they finish as runners-up in Group L, Ghana could return to Canada for the round of 32. FIFA World Cup 2026 – Ghana. Additional details on this story.

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