Ghana files legal action in Canada for Thomas Partey to compete in the World Cup By Thiago Lemos
2 min read
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The Ghanaian government took legal action in Canada this Monday (16) with the aim of guaranteeing the entry of midfielder Thomas Partey into the country. The action seeks to allow the athlete to participate in his team’s debut match in the World Cup, scheduled for this Wednesday against Panama, in the city of Toronto.
The player’s visa application was denied by Canadian authorities. The restriction is based on an ongoing court case in the United Kingdom, where Partey faces charges relating to rape and sexual assault.
Given the urgency imposed by the proximity of the confrontation, the Ghanaian representation requested the issuance of a provisional visa for Partey. However, there is no guarantee that the decision will be made in time for the match, as revealed by Canadian broadcaster CBC.
The Canadian government’s refusal to allow the player to enter even triggered a diplomatic controversy. Over the weekend, Ghana’s foreign ministry issued a statement, describing the decision as “arbitrary and extremely unfair”, as it is based on allegations that have not yet been confirmed.
Currently, the player, who plays for Villarreal and had a spell at Arsenal, is part of the preparation of the Ghana team in the United States. The delegation is scheduled to embark for Canada this Tuesday.
In contrast, Thomas Partey’s authorization to enter the United States was based on an individual assessment of the case and the absence of a judicial conviction. It is important to note that, despite seven charges, the athlete is still awaiting the outcome of the trial in English justice, which means that, legally, he does not have a conviction. This scenario highlights the difference in approaches between countries in relation to travelers with pending criminal cases, where the presumption of innocence until final conviction can influence migration decisions.
