Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada and will miss his nation’s opening World Cup fixture against Panama in Toronto.
FIFA confirmed the former Arsenal player, now at Spanish club Villarreal, was unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston after his visa application was refused by the Canadian government.
Partey, who is 32 years old, faces seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
The midfielder has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is yet to stand trial, meaning he has not been convicted of any offence.
The Canadian government’s website states that individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be permitted entry into the country.
FIFA issued a formal statement clarifying its position, confirming it plays no role in the immigration decisions made by host nations during the tournament.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the governing body said in its statement.
FIFA added: “The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz had previously stated he had no reservations about selecting Partey for the tournament squad ahead of the World Cup.
“If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” said Queiroz, when asked about his decision to include the midfielder.
Queiroz added: “I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?”
The Ghana manager also insisted it was not his place, or anyone else’s, to pass judgement on the legal situation surrounding his player.
“This is not for me or you to make a judgement about,” Queiroz continued, urging patience over the ongoing legal process.
“Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth,” he said.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 before his move to Villarreal, and remains one of Ghana’s most prominent international players.
Ghana will now be forced to prepare for their opening World Cup group stage match against Panama without one of their most experienced and influential midfielders.
