Ghana Protests Canada’s Visa Denial for Thomas Partey

Ghana's Foreign Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced a formal protest against Canada's refusal to issue a visa to Thomas Partey, a midfielder for the Ghana National Team, ahead of the World Cup. The protest was lodged due to what Ghana considers an "extremely unfair" decision, as Partey faces trial in Britain on seven charges, including rape and sexual assault related to four different women from 2020 to 2022.

The trial is scheduled for next year. Despite the visa denial, FIFA confirmed that Partey would not be able to travel to Ghana's team base camp in Boston for the match against Panama on June 17.

However, he remains eligible to play in subsequent group stage matches against England and Croatia, which will take place in the United States. Ghana's protest emphasizes the reliance on unproven charges and raises questions about fairness in the decision-making process.