Partey's Visa Rejection: Misses Ghana vs. Panama Match

Thomas Partey, a midfielder, will not participate in Ghana's World Cup opening match against Panama scheduled for early Thursday due to a rejected visa appeal. The Canadian court ruled on Tuesday that there were no serious issues underlying the refusal of his visa application.

Partey, 33, was denied entry into Canada for the match in Toronto as he failed to disclose his application was subject to multiple criminal charges related to sexual violence in the UK. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women from 2020 to 2022 and is set to stand trial next year.

The Canadian immigration authorities informed the BBC that Canada’s immigration laws remain unchanged despite hosting major events.