Ghana challenges Canada’s visa denial for Thomas Partey in high-stakes court battle

The Ghanaian government has escalated a diplomatic and legal firestorm by filing for a judicial review of Canada’s refusal to grant a visa to international football star Thomas Partey. The unprecedented hearing is scheduled for 14:00 BST (09:00 Eastern Time) in Ottawa, as Ghana’s top officials scramble to make the midfielder available for Wednesday’s crucial World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto.

The visa dispute centers on a major legal obstacle: ongoing criminal proceedings against Partey in the United Kingdom. The 33-year-old Villarreal midfielder pleaded not guilty earlier this year to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, stemming from allegations made by four different women dating back to 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial in 2025. Because of these proceedings, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) blocked his entry, citing strict immigration laws that “do not change” for major international sporting events.

The Ghanaian government has pushed back strongly against the decision, which it labeled in official statements as “high-handed and extremely unfair.” Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the government is seeking immediate court intervention to either grant Partey permission to enter Canada for the brief duration of the match or compel immigration authorities to accept a new visa application. Ablakwa added that Ghana is also actively exploring diplomatic avenues to secure the visa.

Thomas Partey, who brings a wealth of experience from his lengthy tenure at Premier League side Arsenal before his move to Spain, has earned more than 50 caps for Ghana since his debut in 2016. Despite the serious nature of the ongoing UK proceedings, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has previously stated he has no qualms about selecting the midfielder, emphasizing his value to the squad.

The Ghanaian team is slated to face Panama on Wednesday, with future matches scheduled against England in Boston (23 June) and Croatia in Philadelphia (27 June). However, the loss of Partey—arguably the team’s most seasoned international—is a massive blow to their chances in the tournament. IRCC maintains that every person seeking entry into Canada is assessed “individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies.” It remains unclear how long the court proceedings in Ottawa will take, or if a ruling will arrive in time to save Partey’s participation in the opener.