Posted June 13, 2026 12:51 pm
1 min read
Villarreal's Thomas Partey sits on the bench during the Champions League soccer match between Tottenham and Villarreal in London, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.
Ian Walton/ AP Photo
Ghana’s government says it’s planning legal action over Canada’s decision to deny the visa application of a member of its national soccer team awaiting a rape trial in London.
Midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to the allegations, which date back to when he played for the English club Arsenal in 2025.
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In a statement released on social media Saturday, Ghana says the decision by Canadian immigration authorities is “extremely unfair,” and Partey should be presumed innocent ahead of his trial.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it makes its decisions on a case-by-case basis and that hosting major events does not change its laws.
Partey was scheduled to travel with his team to Toronto from its base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, for its opening match against Panama on June 17.
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Ghana says it is looking at all diplomatic, legal and administrative avenues.
Partey is scheduled to stand trial in November or later.
— With files from the Associated Press
© 2026 The Canadian Press
Read the full article at Global News →📄Source document: Ghana's Government Statement
3 reports
Global NewsParty-alignedCenter5 days agoA federal court in Canada will hear an injunction application from Ghana regarding their attempt to bring midfielder Thomas Partey into the country for the World Cup. Partey was denied entry due to pending rape and sexual assault charges in England. Ghana has called the decision 'extremely unfair' and plans to challenge it legally. Partey faces multiple charges and his legal team has stated they intend to plead not guilty to some of the allegations.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring either side. It includes statements from both Ghana and Canada, providing context about the legal proceedings and the nature of the charges against Partey. There is no evident editorializing or biased language that would indicate a clear leaning.
Official sources cited
- government Ghana's Government Statement
- government Canadian Immigration Policy
Global NewsParty-alignedCenter8 days ago Ghana plans legal action after Canada denied entry to Partey amid London rape trialGhana has indicated it may take legal action following Canada's decision to deny a visa to Thomas Partey, a Ghanaian footballer, prior to the FIFA World Cup. The denial occurred amid Partey's involvement in a rape trial in London.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a diplomatic issue involving visa denial and potential legal action by Ghana, but does not present any overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. It remains neutral in tone and provides only the basic facts without taking a stance.
Official sources cited
- government Ghana's statement on potential legal action
- government Canadian immigration authorities' visa denial decision
National PostParty-alignedCenter8 days agoGhana has lodged a formal protest with Canada regarding the denial of a visa to a Ghanaian World Cup player.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a diplomatic issue involving a sports-related visa denial but does not present any overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The subject matter is primarily related to sports and international relations, with no clear political framing evident in the text
CA