Ghana will be without vice-captain Thomas Partey for their opening match of the FIFA World Cup against Panama after he was denied entry into Canada.
According to reports, Canadian authorities rejected Partey’s visa application, preventing the midfielder from travelling from Ghana’s training base in Boston to Toronto, where the Group L fixture is scheduled to take place.
In a statement, FIFA explained that decisions regarding visas and entry into host countries are handled by national governments and not the world football governing body.
“FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” the organisation stated.
Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal CF, has been facing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom after being charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Despite the ongoing case, Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz defended his decision to include the midfielder in the squad, insisting that due process should be allowed to take its course.
“Let events run its normal course, let the river flow, and one day when the river meets the ocean, we will find the truth,” Queiroz said.
Ghana are scheduled to face Panama in their World Cup opener before taking on England and Croatia in their remaining group-stage matches in the United States.
