Ghana Takes Canada To Court Over Partey Visa Denial

Ghana’s government has launched a legal challenge against Canada’s refusal to grant midfielder Thomas Partey a visa, with the case set to be heard in an Ottawa court on Tuesday afternoon.

The 33-year-old is already ruled out of Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after Canadian authorities denied him entry over his ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

Partey, who 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, is due to stand trial next year.

His legal situation in the UK has proven insurmountable for Canadian immigration officials, who rejected his visa application on those grounds.

The Ghanaian government has branded the decision “high-handed and extremely unfair” and is now pursuing two parallel tracks to secure Partey’s participation in the tournament.

In court, Accra is seeking permission for Partey to enter Canada on a temporary basis solely to take part in Ghana’s matches.

The government has also requested that the court instruct Canadian immigration authorities to allow the former Arsenal star to submit a fresh visa application.

The hearing is scheduled for 14:00 BST (09:00 eastern time) in Ottawa, though it remains unclear how long proceedings will last or whether a verdict will be reached in time for Partey to feature in subsequent group games even if he misses Wednesday’s opener.

On the diplomatic front, Ghana’s foreign minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed that the country is also exploring all available channels to resolve the impasse, though time is rapidly running out for the Black Stars.

The case adds yet another layer of difficulty for Ghana, who must now prepare for their World Cup campaign without one of their most influential players unless the court intervenes.