What to know
- Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada for Wednesday’s match against Panama after a Canadian Federal Court judge rejected his emergency request while he awaits trial in the U.K. on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denies.
- Many Ghanaian fans expressed disappointment over Partey’s absence, arguing he should be considered innocent until proven guilty and saying his experience and talent would have strengthened the team against Panama.
- Some supporters criticized the Ghana Football Association for not addressing the travel issue sooner, while also acknowledging Canada’s right to enforce its own immigration laws.
- Despite losing one of their key players, fans remain confident in Ghana’s chances, pointing to the depth of the squad and the Black Stars’ history of performing well as underdogs.
With Ghana and Panama gearing up to face off against each other in Toronto, midfielder Thomas Partey still remains outside Canada’s borders — a decision some Ghanaian locals aren’t happy with.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Partey lost his bid to enter Canada for the match, due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Partey is awaiting trial in England on multiple rape and sexual assault charges. He has pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly maintained his innocence.
Despite this, a Canadian Federal Court judge rejected Partey’s request for emergency relief, preventing him from travelling to Toronto for Ghana’s opening tournament match.
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The 32-year-old midfielder remains with Ghana’s World Cup squad in the United States and will miss Wednesday’s match against Panama in Toronto.
Ghanaian fan reaction
With one less player on the team, some Ghanaian fans are saying that Partey should have been allowed to play, adding that the player was innocent until proven guilty.
“It’s really disappointing because… he’s not convicted yet, so we are hoping to see him on the field,” one fan named Albetra told Now Toronto.
Many other fans agreed, saying the player’s accusations are hindering him from using his skill to defeat Panama.
“We are not really happy, but we are feeling bad because Partey is our player… Ghana’s best player, he couldn’t play the game today,” another fan said.
“He’s one of the best midfielders, the most experienced we’ve had that has been to the World Cup before, and so we expected that he would be able to join, but the laws are the laws,” another fan, Prince, said.
He added that the Ghana Football Association should have arranged something with Canada ahead of time, to let the player in.
“The Ghana Football Association should have known this, should have taken this into consideration in the arrangements and organization for the players to come in, knowing that this is the best player we had,” Prince explained. “But for Canada, not allowing him to come in, that’s their sovereign right.”
With or without Partey, the fans still said they are confident in a win for Team Ghana.
“I trust in the Black Stars, we’ve seen them delivered where they’ve been the underdogs, and so we are hoping that they come up with a spectacular performance today,” Prince added.
Alberta agreed, saying Partey wasn’t the only good player.
“There are other people too that are equally good, so hopefully [his absence doesn’t affect the game],” she said.
