Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGhanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada for his country's opening World Cup match against Panama due to charges of rape and sexual assault. Partey, who has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London's Metropolitan Police, is currently awaiting trial and has not been convicted. Ghana's sports minister, Kofi Adams, has criticised Canada's decision as “flimsy” and “absolutely wrong”, urging a review of the denial, stating that a charge does not equate to guilt. Canada's government stated that its immigration laws remain consistent for major events, assessing each individual based on available facts and applicable law, while FIFA confirmed it is not involved in host countries' immigration processes. Despite missing the match in Toronto, Partey, who was granted a US visa, will be eligible to play in Ghana's subsequent World Cup games against England and Croatia in Boston and Philadelphia, respectively. In fullGhana official releases statement after Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for World CupThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Thomas Partey, who used to play for Arsenal, faces several counts of rape in London.

While FIFA confirmed the visa denial, it did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the Canadian authorities’ decision.

Partey is due to stand trial in the United Kingdom on seven charges of rape and one of sexual assault. He denies the allegations

Ghana are set to open their tournament at Toronto's BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.

What are the charges? When does the trial start? What are the visa rules in U.S. and Canada? How could this impact his Ghana involvement?

Ghana are set to open their tournament at Toronto's BMO Field against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.

The midfielder has been included in Ghana's squad for the tournament in North America.

Thomas Partey has been banned from entering Canada and will not play in Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto.

The Ghana midfielder will miss his country’s opening World Cup match against Panama next week

Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada ahead of Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto, with pending UK criminal charges complicating

The Ghana defender Thomas Partey will miss their opening World Cup game against Panama after being refused a visa to Canada, where the game is being staged in Toronto

NEW YORK, June 12 : Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in their World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to enter Canada was refused,…

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada, missing the World Cup opener against Panama. FIFA confirms non-intervention in visa decisions

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada due to his outstanding UK rape and sexual assault charges.

Ghana player Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, has been denied a visa to enter Canada to play in the World Cup, FIFA said on Friday.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in his team's World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to Canada was refused, FIFA said on Friday.

NEW YORK: Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not take part in their World Cup game against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to enter Canada was refused, FIFA said…

Thomas Partey, who has pleaded not guilty to several rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, has been refused a Canadian visa. He will therefore miss his team's…

Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada before Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will not play in his team's World Cup opener Wednesday after Canada denied his visa application while he awaits trial in London on multiple charges…