Ghana's hopes of having star midfielder Thomas Partey on the pitch for their World Cup opener against Panama have been dashed after a Canadian court dismissed his challenge against a visa denial on Tuesday. The ruling means the Villarreal player, who is currently battling serious rape charges in Britain, will not be allowed to enter Canada for the crucial match in Toronto.
The Ghanaian government had moved swiftly to challenge Ottawa's decision, filing an urgent request for an injunction in federal court just hours before the match. However, the court upheld the immigration authorities' refusal, leaving the Black Stars to prepare for the contest without one of their most influential players.
Despite the disappointment, veteran Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz remained calm and focused when speaking to reporters in Toronto shortly before the ruling was delivered. "My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me," Queiroz stated, making it clear that his team would be ready regardless of the court's outcome. His message was simple and direct—Ghana would not make excuses.
Panama's head coach Thomas Christiansen also shared his thoughts on the situation, suggesting that Ghana's strength should not be underestimated even without Partey. "They have a lot of other footballers who can take on his role," Christiansen said in Spanish. He insisted that the Black Stars would not be "weaker" because of the midfielder's absence, adding that Ghana's squad has far more experience than his own team.
The decision has sparked strong reactions from Ghana's political leadership, with Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa describing Canada's move as "high-handed and extremely unfair." He emphasised that Partey is "a key member of Ghana's senior national team" and that his exclusion feels like a deliberate blow to the country's World Cup ambitions. Accra has officially sent a "note of protest" to Ottawa and formally requested a review of the decision.
Canada's foreign ministry, however, has declined to comment on the specific discussions with Ghana regarding Partey's case. In a brief statement, officials noted that Canada "maintains regular diplomatic engagement with Ghana, including on consular and migration-related issues when they arise." The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made its position crystal clear, stating that "hosting major events does not change Canada's immigration laws." Every applicant, the IRCC added, is assessed individually based on the facts available and the law that applies.
Partey is facing serious legal trouble in Britain, with seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations from four different women between 2020 and 2022. He has consistently denied all the accusations against him. For now, the Black Stars must shift their focus to the task at hand—taking on Panama without their key midfielder, while the diplomatic row between Ghana and Canada continues to unfold.
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