Thomas Partey don dey denied entry to Canada, so e no go fit play for Ghana first World Cup match against Panama for Toronto on Wednesday.
The former Arsenal midfielder, wey now dey play for Spanish club Villarreal, get rape charges wey e dey face for UK. E plead not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault wey Metropolitan Police charge am for July 2025. Later for February, dem add two more rape charges, wey e also plead not guilty.
Partey, wey be 32 years old, bin enter United States with the rest of Ghana squad on 4 June and don dey train for Boston before World Cup. But Canadian government reject im visa application, according to statement from Fifa on Friday.
Fifa tok say dem no dey involved for immigration processes of host countries, including visa adjudication. The host government get the final say on who receive visa and who dem admit, just like for previous Fifa events.
Ghana dey same group with England, and dem go face Panama for Toronto. Partey bin join Arsenal from Atlético Madrid for 2020 for about £45m, before e leave for June last year.
Canada immigration department talk say dem no fit comment on specific cases without signed consent, but dem apply rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role for tournament. Dem add say officers be trained decision-makers wey assess eligibility and admissibility according to Canadian immigration laws.
Ghana still get hope say Partey fit play against England for Boston on June 23. E bin play for World Cup for Qatar while on bail before. But visa issues don become theme for this tournament, after Africa top referee, Somalian Omar Artan, also bin blocked from entering US.
Partey trial dey set for November, and e dey deny all rape allegations against am.
