OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghana's bid to get Thomas Partey into the country for the team’s first World Cup match while the midfielder awaits trial on rape charges.
The ruling means Partey, whose visa application was denied last week, will remain in the United States while his teammates face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana's next two matches — both in the U.S.
Ghana’s Ministry
of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial for Partey, who awaits trial in Britain, as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Their appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday.
Partey faces allegations from several women dating to his time playing for English club Arsenal from 2020-25. Partey, who played in Spain for Villarreal this past season, has pleaded not guilty.
In March, a lawyer for Partey said the player intends to plead not guilty to two new charges of rape after a woman alleged Partey twice raped her on the same day in December 2020. Partey had separately been awaiting trial on five counts of rape related to two other women and one count of sexual assault involving another woman, and the new allegations arose after the first set of charges were publicized.
Partey’s lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, told the court Tuesday that as a World Cup host nation, Canada had a “public interest” in allowing the “orderly participation of accredited national team athletes.”
In a statement submitted to the court, Partey had said he would remain under constant supervision of team officials, and will leave Canada when the team does.
Millions of his countrymen are hoping the team advances to the the knockout round, he said.
“I have not been convicted of any offense. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent,” Partey said.
Canada officials have said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis regardless of the World Cup.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said earlier Tuesday before the ruling that the team would be ready but declined comment on the appeal.
"We have our plan settled," Queiroz said. "It’s not part of my business. My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me.”
Ghana's base camp for the World Cup is in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Partey remains eligible to play June 23 when Ghana faces England in Massachusetts. Ghana concludes group play June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.
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