Thomas Partey will miss Ghana's opening World Cup fixture against Panama after he was denied entry into Canada. The former Arsenal midfielder was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault last July and pleaded not guilty in September. In February, Partey was charged with two additional counts of rape and he again pleaded not guilty in April.
Partey, who left Arsenal last summer as a free agent and joined Spanish side Villarreal, arrived in the United States this week as Ghana have been preparing for their World Cup campaign at their training base in Boston. However, the 32-year-old has been ruled out of Ghana's first match in Group L as he is unable to travel to Canada for the match against Panama in Toronto on Thursday.
A statement from FIFA read: 'FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana's Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government. FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.'
Ghana are also due to play England in Boston on June 23 before their final World Cup group game against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
