World Cup 2026: Ban of Thomas Party from Canada unfair – Ghana Govt

Ghana’s government has called for a review of what it described as Canada’s “high-handed and grossly unfair” decision to ban midfielder Thomas Partey from entering the country.

He was a former Arsenal player Rejection of visa application And will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.

Party, 32, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault related to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

He is due to be tried next year.

A statement, outsider The Ghanaian government said it was “pursuing active diplomatic engagement” with Canadian officials and hoped to reverse the decision.

It read: “The decision is understood to be based on pending UK criminal proceedings which have resulted in no convictions.

“Government of Ghana reaffirms fundamental legal principle of presumption of innocence, foundation of justice.”

The government said it would “explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair consideration of all factual issues”.

On the Canadian government’s website, the rules for entering the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.”

BBC Sport has contacted the Ghana Football Association for comment.

The party stays at the Ghanaian training base in Boston.

A US Customs and Border Protection official said: “The US is aware of Mr. Party’s pending case.

“However, at this time he was not convicted of any crime and was admitted to the United States after being granted a visa.”

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said ahead of the tournament that he has no qualms about choosing the party that will join Arsenal in 2020.

He moved to Villarreal in August after being released at the end of the 2024–25 season.

Ghana will play England at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 – both games where the party could be on display.

Ghana could return to Canada in the last 32 if they finish runners-up in Group L.