By Francis Koben Tandoh
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been refused a visa to enter Canada to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Ghana’s male senior football national team, sports minister Kofi Iddie Adams confirmed late Friday.
According to the minister, the Canadian authorities cited Partey’s alleged rape and sexual abuse case currently before a court in the United Kingdom as the reason.
Adams expressed disappointment at the decision, arguing that the Ghanaian midfielder has not been convicted of the offense and that it was unfair for the Canadian authorities to arrive at the decision.
“Thomas Partey has not been convicted of rape, and he keeps on plying his trade as a footballer, traveling to various European nations, and it is unfair; it is an overreaction, and we have protested and we think the decision is wrong,” said the Ghanaian sports minister.
He disclosed that Ghana’s foreign minister has taken the matter up and will trigger diplomatic engagement to pursue the rights of the footballer.
He urged the Canadian authorities to take a second look at the decision, or else it sets a bad precedence.
Partey, who currently plays for Spanish side Villarreal, is part of Ghana’s 26-man squad for the tournament but will miss the Group L fixture scheduled for June 17 in Toronto.
Meanwhile, world football’s governing body, FIFA, clarified that the decision falls entirely under the authority of the Canadian government.
“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 said.
“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.” Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
