Ghana has officially launched a protest against Canada’s refusal to issue a visa for the World Cup to player Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Sam Ablakwa, in a statement, says it was high handed and extremely unfair to reject a visa application by Partey, a key member of Ghana’s senior national team.
The Villarreal midfielder, who previously played for Arsenal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
A trial has been set for next year, allowing the 32-year-old to represent Ghana at the World Cup, but he will not be involved in Wednesday’s match in Toronto.
FIFA has confirmed that Partey would not be able to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston to Canada for their opening match against Panama on June 17.
