Ghanaian Midfielder Barred from Canada
Ghanaian international Thomas Partey will not participate in his country's opening World Cup fixture against Panama. The 33-year-old midfielder was refused entry into Canada due to his failure to disclose ongoing criminal charges in the United Kingdom when applying for entry.
Appeal Rejected by Federal Court
Despite efforts by the Ghanaian government to secure a temporary entry permit for Partey to play in Wednesday's match in Toronto, a federal court in Ottawa rejected the appeal. The court's ruling highlighted that there was "no serious issue in the underlying refusal" of the visa and that Partey "failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK."
Partey, a former Arsenal player now with Villarreal in Spain, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault. These allegations stem from claims made by four different women between 2020 and 2022, with a trial scheduled for next year.
Canada's Immigration Policy Stands Firm
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reiterated its consistent stance, stating that "hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws." An IRCC spokesperson added, "Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies."
Officials had previously communicated concerns to Partey regarding whether his application met the requirement to "answer truthfully," citing legislation pertaining to misrepresentation that could affect visa eligibility. The court further noted that under immigration regulations, "having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient" to deem an applicant inadmissible, and a conviction is not a prerequisite.
Coach's Stance and Upcoming Matches
Ghana's head coach, Carlos Queiroz, had previously expressed no reservations about selecting Partey for the squad. When questioned about the situation again, he stated, "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me. We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready."
Partey has earned over 50 caps for Ghana since his debut in June 2016. Ghana is scheduled to play England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27. A potential return to Canada in the last 32 stage remains a possibility if they advance as runners-up in Group L.
Source: Partey misled Canadian officials over previous arrest