FIFA World Cup: Partey to miss Ghana's opening game due to visa trouble
Accra, June 17
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is set to miss the FIFA World Cup Group L opener against Panama after a Canadian court dismissed his visa appeal.
According to the ruling delivered by Roger R. Lafreniere, the court declined to expedite the matter or compel immigration authorities to reconsider their decision before Ghana's World Cup fixtures.
The judge held that Partey had failed to establish a "serious issue" with the original refusal and did not meet the legal threshold required for extraordinary relief, reports Xinhua.
Lafreniere further stated that the Ghanaian international had been put on notice about concerns arising from the multiple rape and sexual assault charges he faces in Britain but had failed to sufficiently address those concerns during the visa process.
The decision means Partey remains unable to enter Canada at this stage, placing his participation in Ghana's remaining matches in further doubt unless relief is subsequently granted through the reconsideration or temporary resident permit process.
The Canadian government refused a visa for Partey last week, after which his lawyers launched a last-minute appeal to the Federal Court in Ottawa, seeking to overturn the decision.
FIFA earlier confirmed that Partey would be unable to travel from Ghana's team base in Boston to Canada for the opening match against Panama following the visa refusal.
Despite the setback, Partey remains with the Ghana squad in the United States and is available for the team's remaining group-stage fixtures. Ghana are scheduled to face England in the Boston area before taking on Croatia in Philadelphia.
Ghana will play Panama on June 17 before taking on England and Croatia.
The visa setback adds to a growing list of entry-related issues affecting participants at the ongoing FIFA WC. Earlier, Somali referee Omar Artan, Iraq internationals Aymen Hussein and Talal Salah, Haiti's Woodensky Pierre, and Switzerland forward Breel Embolo have encountered visa complications linked to World Cup travel arrangements.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very sad for the Ghana team. But as an Indian, I think we have seen many visa issues at international events too. Our cricketers and even some sports officials sometimes face similar problems. The visa process must be transparent and fast for athletes, but if there are legal charges, countries have a right to refuse entry.
Poor Partey. But multiple rape and sexual assault charges? That's a big red flag. Canada is right to be cautious. I hope Ghana can still put up a good fight without him. The tournament is more important than one player.
This is yet another example of how visa issues mess with international sports. With so many players from different countries, the World Cup organizers need to work more closely with host countries to avoid last-minute chaos. Partey's situation blows for Ghana.
I think the legal system is doing its job. If he's charged with such serious crimes, it's not just a visa issue. It's about safety and law. Ghana shouldn't have depended so much on someone with such baggage. Anyway, best of luck to Ghana for their matches.
As an Indian viewing this from afar, I see a bigger lesson. Our athletes often face visa delays for international events too. The whole system needs reform. But for Partey, if there are charges pending, it's bound to create issues. Every country has the right to vet who enters. Ghana must adapt without him.
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