Partey to miss Ghana’s World Cup opener as travel ban against failed

Thomas Partey has been ruled out of Ghana’s World Cup opener after losing his appeal against a travel ban

The former Arsenal midfielder had his initial visa request to enter Canada blocked by authorities ahead of the match against Panama in Toronto on June 18. Partey, 33, was denied entry into Canada due to ongoing criminal proceedings he faced in the UK.

Ghana FA chiefs appealed the decision, pointing to the fact that Partey was allowed to fly in to the squad’s main base in Providence, Rhode Island. But the Federal Court judge, Justice Roger Lafreniere, denied the emergency injunction applicationat a hearing in the Canadian capital Ottawa today.

The decision came barely two hours after Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz admitted he was still in the dark. Speaking at his pre-match news conference at BDO Field, Carlos said: “Nothing is perfect in life but we have tried to make the best of the opportunities we’ve had.

“There is nothing to say about Thomas. We want to be able to count on all 26 players and then we will make a decision about the starting line up.”

The midfielder was named in Ghana’s squad despite being charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police last July. He was then charged with a further two rape counts added in February.

Partey pleaded not guilty to the charges but has since been charged with two new counts of rape. He also pleaded not guilty to those charges in April at Southwark Crown Court.

Partey is alleged to have carried out the offences between 2021 and 2022. He is still expected to face England in their second World Cup group game in Boston on June 23.

The midfielder had been hoping to travel with his team-mates to Toronto from Ghana’s base camp. But a FIFA statement confirmed Partey was denied entry to Canada and will not play against Panama, meaning he will have to stay behind in the US.