Thomas Partey denied entry into Canada for Ghana’s World Cup opener | OneFootball

Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup match against Panama after being denied entry into Canada.

Partey 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.

The 32-year-old was granted a US visa before the tournament and will be eligible to play against England in Boston on 23 June, as well as Ghana’s final group game against Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed the Villarreal midfielder will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after having his visa application was refused by the Canadian government.

The full statement read: “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp to Canada for their first match against Panama 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.”

Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a transfer worth around £45m, before he left the club in June last year.