Mondial-2026 : le Ghana proteste auprès du Canada, après le refus de visa au milieu de terrain Thomas Partey
The Ghanaian government officially protested to Canadian authorities on Saturday over their refusal to grant an international visa to Thomas Partey, who will be tried for rape in Britain in 2027.
"Ghana has sent an official note of protest" to Canada, asking it to reconsider this "unfortunate decision," said Ghanaian Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Former Arsenal midfielder, currently at Villarreal in the Spanish league, Partey, 32, will therefore not be able to travel to Toronto, where Ghana will kick off its World Cup campaign on June 17 against Panama.
Considered a key element of the Black Stars, Partey (57 caps, 15 goals) was able to enter the United States without any problems, where his team established its base camp in Massachusetts, at Bryant University in Boston.
He could be fielded by the Portuguese coach of the Black Stars, Carlos Queiroz, in the two other pool matches, on June 23 against England in Boston and on June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia in Group L.
Partey pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, in connection with allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022, when he wore the jersey of the London club Arsenal (2020-2025).
"While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana believes that relying on unproven accusations in the absence of a judicial decision raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality," the Ghanaian Foreign Minister continued.
FIFA confirmed on Friday that the Ghanaian international would not be able to travel to Toronto, stating that it was not "involved in the immigration formalities of the host countries" of the World Cup. "As with all FIFA events," the world football governing body added, "it is up to the government of the host country to determine who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."
AFP
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