Midfielder to miss opening World Cup game after entry to Canada denied
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup match after a Canadian judge rejected the country’s appeal to overturn a decision denying him entry to the country.
Justice Roger Lafreniere dismissed Partey’s application in Ottawa on Tuesday, ruling that the Ghana international had failed to demonstrate grounds for urgent relief from an immigration decision that found him inadmissible. Ghana are due to face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
The ruling leaves Ghana without one of their most experienced and important players for their tournament opener and is a significant setback for coach Carlos Queiroz’s preparations.
Partey is facing seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in the UK, charges he denies. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial in London next year.
In his judgment, Lafreniere upheld the position taken by Canadian authorities, who argued that hosting the World Cup does not change the country’s immigration requirements and that there will be no special treatment for athletes.
The judge said granting Partey permission would have effectively overridden a lawful ruling in order to allow entry for a specific sporting event.
Court documents also revealed concerns over information provided during Partey’s immigration application. According to filings, the midfielder indicated that he had not been charged with any criminal offence in any country when seeking permission to enter Canada before the tournament.
Immigration officials had subsequently requested clarification regarding the charges he faces in the UK.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, Partey argued that he remained entitled to the presumption of innocence and said he had not been convicted of any offence.
“I have not been convicted of any offence. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent,” he said.
Partey also said his absence would have a significant impact on Ghana’s prospects at the tournament and pledged to remain under the supervision of team officials during his stay if allowed into Canada. He further stated that he would leave the country in accordance with the tournament schedule.
Canada’s decision does not affect Partey’s ability to participate in matches hosted in the US. The midfielder was granted entry for Ghana’s pre-tournament training camp and remains eligible to feature in the team’s subsequent group-stage fixtures against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.
