When Ghana opens its FIFA World Cup on Wednesday in Toronto against Panama, they will be without Thomas Partey.
FIFA confirmed to The Athletic’s Dan Sheldon on Friday that the Villarreal midfielder has been denied entry to Canada due to a serious of rape charges in England. The charges stem from 2021 and 2022 when Partey played for Arsenal.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read. “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Partey was first charged with five counts of rape last summer, along with one charge of sexual assault, before two more charges were levied against him in February. The 32-year-old Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is currently set to go trial in November, but the trial could be postponed into 2027.
A product of the Atletico academy, Partey made his pro debut in 2013. He spent five seasons at the Emirates, joining Villarreal on a free transfer in August. He made 25 appearances for the club last season. His deal is set to expire at the end of June, but Villarreal holds a one-year club option.
Internationally, Partey has been capped 58 times by the Black Stars and appeared at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
