Ghana’s government has announced its intention to seek an official review after Canadian authorities denied entry to midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Currently at the Black Stars’ base camp in Boston, Partey faces multiple legal charges, including seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, as brought forth by London’s Metropolitan Police. He has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Canada’s decision to deny him entry means Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener, raising concerns within the West African nation regarding both diplomatic and sporting implications.
On Friday, Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams confirmed that the government has reached out to relevant authorities to push for a formal review of the entry denial. “If any Ghanaian is touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it,” he stated during an interview with local station Channel One TV. Adams emphasized the importance of reviewing a decision that, in their view, conflicts with international laws and conventions agreed upon by both Ghana and Canada.
“We think it’s appropriate to get the appropriate authorities to review this decision,” he added. “We’ve taken it to that level, and we hope and pray that they do what they must do.”