ACCRA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been refused a visa to enter Canada to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sports minister Kofi Iddie Adams confirmed late Friday.
According to the minister, the Canadian authorities cited Partey's alleged rape and sexual abuse case currently before a court in Britain as the reason.
Adams expressed disappointment over the decision, arguing that the Ghanaian midfielder has not been convicted of the offense and that it is unfair for the Canadian authorities to reach that decision.
He disclosed that Ghana's foreign minister has taken the matter up and will trigger diplomatic engagement to pursue the rights of the footballer.
He urged the Canadian authorities to take a second look at the decision, or else it sets a bad precedence.
Partey, who currently plays for Spanish side Villarreal, is part of Ghana's 26-man squad for the tournament but will miss the Group L fixture against Panama scheduled for June 17 in Toronto.
Meanwhile, FIFA clarified that the decision falls entirely under the authority of the Canadian government.
"FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's team base camp in Boston, the United States, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," the statement said.
"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." ■
