Thomas Partey denied entry into Canada for Ghana's World Cup opener over rape charges

[p]The 32-year-old was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by London’s Metropolitan Police.[/p][p]In September, he pleaded not guilty but has since been charged with two new counts of rape in February this year, to which he pleaded not guilty in April.[/p][p]Per [a href="https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2065479658775207973"]The Athletic[/a], he has now been denied entry into Canada as they prepare for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ghana-nNBjHale/panama-OWKqbCfi/?mid=jD1Nwbif"]their opener[/a] at the BMO Field against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/panama/OWKqbCfi/"]Panama[/a] on Wednesday (June 17).[/p][p]The Canadian government website states that, “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/thomas/pMErKGnf/"]Partey[/a] has been charged but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.[/p][p]Partey continues to deny all charges.[/p][embed guid="f201f3a0-2d2e-44a8-9a77-703c410f59f9" url="https://x.com/_owurakuampofo/status/2065481749849833681?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Partey, who is part of Ghana's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, has been with the Black Stars since camping began late May in Cardiff.[/p][p]The former Arsenal midfielder captained the team in the pre-tournament friendly against Wales which ended 1-1.[/p][p]Ahead of the Wales game, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz was asked if he had concerns over the midfielder's selection. The Portuguese coach said: [b]"If the player is here with me, my answer is clear.[/b][/p][p][b]"I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?[/b][/p][p][b]"This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.[/b][/p][p][b]"Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth."[/b][/p][p]Earlier this week, the Ghana Football Association's communications director stated they support Partey when quizzed about England players potentially ignoring the midfielder during the pre-match handshake.[/p][p][b]“We have absolute confidence in what our player has told us. We have supported him right from the very beginning,"[/b] he told 3Sports.[/p][p][b]"Partey knows that we have been with him, toe to toe, shoulder to shoulder. We believe in what his legal team has told us. He has our support."[/b][/p][p]Ghana arrived at their base camp in Rhode Island on June 11 and will leave for Canada on June 15 ahead of their June 17 opener against Panama.[/p][p]Queiroz will now have to devise a plan without Partey for the game against Panama and potentially some knockout games at the World Cup.[/p][p]This is due to the fact that Ghana could return to Canada if they qualify for the knockout round depending on where they finish in Group L.[/p]