Ghana demands Canada admit Thomas Partey despite sexual assault allegations
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
The build-up to the 2026 World Cup is being rocked by a major international scandal with political overtones.
Details: According to MatchDayCentral, the Government of Ghana has officially intervened in the situation surrounding star national team midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied an entry visa by Canadian authorities due to ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
The Ghana Football Association and diplomats have lodged a formal protest with the Canadian authorities, firmly insisting on a core legal principle: a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The heart of the heated dispute is that the former Arsenal midfielder, now playing for Villarreal, is awaiting trial in England on several rape charges, but the player vehemently denies the accusations and has not been found guilty.
The Ghanaian side, in its official statement, emphasizes that being accused is not the same as being convicted. Ghanaian officials are calling on Canada’s immigration ministry to urgently reconsider its decision and grant Partey a visa so the Black Stars’ key leader can help his team in their opening World Cup match against Panama, scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto.
Reminder: The date of Neymar’s World Cup return has been revealed.
