Thomas Partey Denied Entry To Canada, Missing Ghana’s World Cup Opener Against Panama

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the Black Stars’ World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto after FIFA said his visa application was refused by the Canadian government.

“- Published Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his nation's first World Cup game in Toronto against Panama, after being denied entry to Canada”

BBC

FIFA confirmed that Partey would be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for the match on Wednesday, 17 June, and FIFA added that it was not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.

BBC

Ghana are set to open their tournament at Toronto’s BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, and FIFA’s statement means Partey will not be available for that fixture.

The BBC reported that Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and that he is awaiting trial.

The Canadian government website rule cited by the BBC states: "If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada."

FIFA’s statement to media outlets, as quoted by the BBC, said: "Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas," and the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told the BBC that it applies its rules "consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament," while also saying officers assess eligibility and admissibility under Canadian immigration laws.

CBC

The BBC also reported that a US Customs and Border Protection official said: "The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey, however, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa."

Sky Sports said Partey is on bail for allegations of rape and sexual assault and denies the charges, and it added that he is set to face England after being refused entry to Canada.

Sky Sports further stated that Partey is available to play against England in Ghana’s second Group L fixture on Tuesday June 23 in Boston, and that Ghana’s final group game is against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

With Partey absent from the Panama match at BMO Field, Ghana’s schedule still includes games against England at Gillette Stadium (Boston) on June 23 and against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) on June 27, with Partey described as eligible to feature in both games.

“Ghanaian international footballer Thomas Partey, who is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, has been refused entry to Canada and will be unable to take part in his team's World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday”

DW

The New York Times reported that Partey is eligible to feature in both games after the Canada refusal, and it also said Partey arrived in Washington D.C. with team-mates on June 4 and that the Ghana team travelled to their training base in Rhode Island on Friday.

The BBC said Ghana could potentially return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish as runners-up in Group L, advancing to play the runners-up in Group K in Toronto on Thursday, 2 July.

The BBC also quoted Ghana sports minister Kofi Adams saying the decision was "absolutely wrong" as the player had been charged but not found guilty, reflecting local reaction to Partey’s exclusion from the opener.

The BBC placed Partey’s next hearing in context by noting he is due to stand trial next year and that the tournament’s travel and visa issues have also affected other participants, including Somali referee Omar Artan, who told the New York Times: "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," after being questioned by border officials.