06/16/26 01:34:00
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06/16 13:33 CDT Ghana appeals Canada's denial of World Cup visa for Partey, who
faces rape charges
Ghana appeals Canada's denial of World Cup visa for Partey, who faces rape
charges
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) --- Ghana officials on Tuesday appealed Canada's decision
to refuse midfielder Thomas Partey entry into the country for the team's first
World Cup match while he awaits trial on rape charges.
A Canadian federal court heard the appeal Tuesday, just one day before Ghana
faces Panama in Toronto.
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial for Partey,
who awaits trial in Britain, as a "high-handed and extremely unfair decision."
Partey faces allegations from several women dating to his time playing for
English club Arsenal from 2020-25. Partey, who played in Spain for Villarreal
this past season, has pleaded not guilty.
In March, a lawyer for Partey said the player intends to plead not guilty to
two new charges of rape after a woman alleged Partey twice raped her on the
same day in December 2020. Partey had separately been awaiting trial on five
counts of rape related to two other women and one count of sexual assault
involving another woman, and the new allegations arose after the first set of
charges were publicized.
Partey's lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, told the court Tuesday that as a World Cup
host nation, Canada has a "public interest" in allowing the "orderly
participation of accredited national team athletes."
In a statement submitted to the court, Partey said he would remain under
constant supervision of team officials, and will leave Canada when the team
does.
Millions of his countrymen are hoping the team advances to the the knockout
round, he said.
"I have not been convicted of any offense. I have pleaded not guilty, and I
remain presumed innocent," Partey said.
Canada officials have said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case
basis regardless of the World Cup.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz had cited a presumption of innocence for Partey when
he included the player in his World Cup squad.
Ghana's base camp for the World Cup is in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Even if
Tuesday's appeal fails, Partey will still be eligible to play June 23 when
Ghana faces England in Massachusetts. Ghana concludes group play June 27
against Croatia in Philadelphia.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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