Canada blocks Thomas Partey from Ghana’s World Cup opener
What’s new: A judge rejected an emergency appeal after court filings said Partey did not disclose UK sexual-violence charges on his visa application.
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto after a Canadian judge refused to let the midfielder enter the country. The ruling followed an immigration decision that found Partey inadmissible while he faces seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge in the United Kingdom. Partey has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial in London next year. Court documents said he told Canadian officials he had not been arrested or charged with a crime, despite the ongoing UK case. Canada said hosting the World Cup does not alter its immigration laws. Partey had trained with Ghana in the United States and remains eligible for matches there against England and Croatia.