Thomas Partey's Visa Denial Upheld by Canadian Court Ahead of World Cup
Court Upholds Visa Refusal
The Federal High Court of Canada has confirmed the visa denial for Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, preventing him from entering the country for Ghana's first match against Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This decision was reported by ESPN.
The ruling was issued on Tuesday following an appeal by Partey's legal representatives against the visa refusal, which barred him from traveling to Toronto with his teammates. The complications regarding Partey's visa are linked to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK, where he faces seven charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault, stemming from allegations made by four women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all accusations, with his trial set for later this year.
Ghana Government Protests Decision
On June 13, the Ghanaian government expressed its discontent with Canada's decision to deny Partey a visa, labeling it as 'extremely unfair,' according to a report from a news agency. While the government acknowledged Canada's authority to enforce its immigration policies, it raised concerns about the fairness of denying a visa based on unproven allegations without a judicial ruling.
"The Government of the Republic of Ghana has strong reservations regarding Canada's high-handed and extremely unfair decision. While we respect Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, relying on unproven charges without a judicial determination raises significant questions about fairness and proportionality," the statement read.
Canada Cites Standard Immigration Procedures
A representative from Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department stated that the country adheres to its immigration laws uniformly. They emphasized that each visa application is evaluated on an individual basis, considering the available information and relevant laws.
"Every individual seeking entry into Canada is assessed based on the facts at hand and the applicable laws," the spokesperson remarked.