Ghana’s Ministry of Sport and Recreation has known as on FIFA to take a “extra energetic curiosity” in defending the rights of collaborating nations after midfielder Thomas Partey was refused entry to Canada.
Because of this improvement, the 33-year-old won’t characteristic in Ghana’s World Cup Group L opener in opposition to Panama on June 17 at BMO Area in Toronto.
The ministry expressed concern in regards to the state of affairs and insisted that every one eligible nations ought to have entry to eligible athletes and officers through the competitors.
“We due to this fact name on FIFA to take a extra energetic curiosity on this difficulty and interact host nations on safeguards that defend the rights of sanctioned gamers, officers and member associations.
“FIFA’s dedication to equity should prolong past the sector of competitors to make sure that all eligible groups have entry to eligible gamers. As soccer’s world governing physique, FIFA should proceed to uphold the rules that uphold the integrity of the sport, equal participation and honest illustration all through the competitors.”
“The integrity of a match relies upon not solely on what occurs on the pitch, but in addition on whether or not the principles and rules governing participation are utilized persistently and pretty.”
Partey was chosen for Ghana’s World Cup squad and traveled to the USA with the group earlier this month.
He arrived in Washington, D.C., along with his teammates on June 4, earlier than the Black Stars moved to their coaching base in Rhode Island.
Nevertheless, he was unable to enter Canada and can miss the match in opposition to Panama.
The midfielder stays eligible to play in Ghana’s remaining group matches in the USA.
The Black Stars will face England on June twenty third at Gillette Stadium in Boston, and conclude their group stage match in opposition to Croatia on June twenty seventh at Lincoln Monetary Area in Philadelphia.
Partey was charged by the Metropolitan Police in July 2025 with 5 counts of rape and one depend of sexual assault. In September 2025, he pleaded not responsible to those fees.
He was then charged with two extra counts of rape in February 2026, and pleaded not responsible to these fees in April.
The allegations contain 4 girls and relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2020 and 2022.
Detectives started an investigation in February 2022 after receiving a rape allegation, however a separate investigation was launched in August 2025 after a police report was made.
The case will probably be heard at Southwark Crown Court docket in London. The trial was initially scheduled for November however may very well be postponed till early 2027.
Underneath the phrases of his bail, Partey is required to inform authorities if he plans to journey overseas.
