Former Arsenal star Thomas Partey refused entry to Canada for World Cup match | OneFootball

Ghanaian midfielder denied visa to travel from the US as he awaits trial in UK over charges of rape and sexual assault

It comes as the former Gunners midfielder, now of Villarreal, awaits a UK trial accused of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He has pleased not guilty to all charges and is expected to go on trial in June 2027.

The Ghana team travelled to their training base in Rhode Island on Friday.

But a statement from Fifa confirmed he had not been able to travel to Canada for Ghans' first game of the tournament against Panama on Wednesday.

Barred: Thomas Partey

Getty

A FIFA statement given to The Athletic said: “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.

"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.”

Ghana are in Group L at the tournament, with England, Croatia and Panama.

Following the meeting with Panama, Ghana play England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 so is expected to feature in those games as they are in the US.

Partey faces allegation of rape and sexual assault by four different women, who accuse him over incidents between 2020 and 2022.

He was charged in July last year an investigation by the Metropolitan Police, with further charges added in February this year.