Ghana plans legal action after Canada denied entry to Partey amid London rape trial

Ghana’s government said Saturday it plans legal action over Canada’s “high-handed and extremely unfair” decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for the country’s World Cup opener while he awaits a rape trial in London.

Partey returned to the Ghana men’s national team base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, after being refused entry to Canada for Wednesday’s match against Panama in Toronto.

The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to multiple allegations from several women dating to his time at English club Arsenal between 2020 and 2025. He is scheduled to stand trial in November or later.

Ghana’s government said it “reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence,” a point also cited by coach Carlos Queiroz when selecting Partey for the World Cup squad.

“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “Accordingly, Ghana is pursuing active diplomatic engagements with the relevant Canadian authorities on this matter.”

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said Friday it makes its decisions on a case-by-case basis and that hosting major events does not change its laws.

“Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians,” the statement read. “Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws. Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.”

Partey will be able to play June 23 when Ghana plays England in Foxborough, Mass. Ghana concludes group play June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.

Ghana’s government said it issued an “official note of protest” to Global Affairs Canada on Thursday, asking that Canada review its “unfortunate” decision.

It also said it is looking at all diplomatic, legal and administrative avenues under Canadian and international law to have the decision rescinded.

“Including, where appropriate, judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada, to ensure full and fair consideration of all relevant legal and factual issues in accordance with due process,” the statement continued.

“Government further notes Mr. Partey’s selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the significant national and global sporting considerations at stake, and therefore urges Canada to rescind its decision in the interest of fairness and cardinal principles of common law.”

Partey’s lawyer said in March that 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. He 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.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2026.