Rape-accused midfielder Thomas Partey denied
Photo: Ian Walton/AP/TT

Rape-accused midfielder Thomas Partey denied Canada visa, will miss Ghana's World Cup opener

Ghana's midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied a visa to Canada and will miss his team's first World Cup match against Panama, The Athletic reports.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now at Spanish club Villarreal, is charged in England with seven counts of rape, but denies the crimes.

He is expected to stand trial in 2027.

Ghana plays its first match in the World Cup in Toronto against Panama on June 17. FIFA confirms in a statement to The Athletic that Partey has been denied a visa to Canada.

"FIFA can confirm that Thomas Partey will not be able to travel with the Ghana team from the team's World Cup base in Boston, USA, to Canada for the first match against Panama as he has been denied a visa by Canadian authorities. FIFA is not involved in the visa processes of host countries."

Ghana plays its remaining two group stage matches in the United States, against England in Boston and against Croatia in Philadelphia.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers
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