Ghana protests Canada decision to bar Partey from World Cup match

Ghana's government also affirmed the presumption of innocence as a fundamental legal principle. "Die Regierung von Ghana bekräftigt das fundamentale Rechtsprinzip der Unschuldsvermutung als Eckpfeiler von Gerechtigkeit und ordnungsgemäßen Verfahren in demokratischen Gesellschaften", the statement said. Ablakwa described Partey as "ein Schlüsselmitglied der A-Nationalmannschaft Ghanas" and as a "ghanaischen Staatsbürgers und Schlüsselspielers der Nationalmannschaft".

The legal case in London

The allegations against Partey were made by several women and relate to the years 2020 to 2022, a period during which the midfielder was playing for Arsenal in London. Partey has been standing trial in London since April on charges of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty. According to Ghana's foreign ministry, a verdict is not expected before mid-2027, with the next hearing scheduled for October.

The situation has highlighted a stark contrast in North American visa policy. The United States allowed Partey to enter the country and granted him a visa because he has not been convicted of a criminal offense. That decision means Partey can still be available for Ghana's remaining group matches against England and Croatia, both of which will be played in the United States.

Broader entry disputes at the World Cup

Ghana is not the only delegation to face entry issues at this World Cup. FIFA stated that it is not involved in the entry procedures of host countries, and confirmed that Partey was unable to travel from Boston to Canada. Delegation members from Iran and fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast were also denied entry. Separately, the president of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, announced on Friday that his own visa applications for the United States and Canada had been denied, although he was able to enter Mexico for the opening ceremony in Mexico City and the Tunisia vs. Sweden match in Monterrey on Saturday.

For Ghana, the sporting stakes are significant. The team's group stage also includes matches against England and Croatia. Without Partey for the opener in Toronto, the squad faces a key fixture against Panama before the wider questions raised by the diplomatic dispute are likely to be resolved.