Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first World Cup game in Toronto against Panama, after being denied entry to Canada.
This is in connection with his alleged rape case, to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
He is due to stand trial next year.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed the former Arsenal player, who is now with Spanish side Villarreal, will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after having his “visa application was refused by the Canadian government”.
“Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” said FIFA, according to the BBC.
On the Canadian government website rules around visiting the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted
Ghana are set to face England in their second Group L match at the Boston Stadium, Foxborough, on 23 June (21:00 BST) before taking on Croatia on 27 June in Philadelphia (22:00 BST) – both games in which Partey could still feature.
Partey’s situation is not the first to involve the authorities of the host nations – the United States, Mexico, and Canada – as the tournament gets underway.
Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for several hours at a Chicago airport before being allowed into the country.
Iran has been forced to switch their base location to Mexico, their fans have had their tickets revoked, while members of their delegation were refused visas.
Meanwhile, Somali referee Omar Artan was not allowed into the US because of his “association with suspected members of terror organisations”, according to a source from President Donald Trump’s administration.
