Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been refused entry to Canada because of pending rape charges in London. The decision means he'll miss the Black Stars' World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on June 17.
Partey, 32, faces seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court in London. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is set to start on June 8, 2027 — more than a year away.
Under Canadian law, a person doesn't need a conviction to be barred. Section 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows officials to refuse entry if there are "reasonable grounds to believe" the person committed a crime outside Canada that would be serious inside the country.
The threshold is low. An arrest, charges, or even intelligence reports can be enough. For Partey, the allegations — said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 when he was an Arsenal player — fall under "serious criminality" because sexual assault offences in Canada carry maximum sentences well above 10 years.
The ban applies to all forms of entry: visas, study permits, work permits, and Electronic Travel Authorizations. Even citizens of visa-exempt countries like Britain — which has close immigration ties with Canada — can be stopped.
There are limited remedies. A Temporary Resident Permit can allow entry if there's a compelling justification that outweighs the risk. Criminal rehabilitation is a more permanent fix, but it's generally unavailable until proceedings conclude and a qualifying period of crime-free conduct has passed. With Partey's trial still more than a year away, neither path offers a quick fix.
The timing is brutal for Ghana. The Black Stars are in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. After the Panama match in Toronto, they face England on June 23 in Boston — on US soil, where separate immigration rules apply. But Partey will miss the opener entirely.
Partey remains on bail with conditions. His legal team could apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, but Canadian authorities have wide discretion and are unlikely to grant one while serious charges are pending. For now, the midfielder's World Cup starts with a seat in the stands.
The case has also raised questions about how other countries treat athletes with pending charges. Canada's rules are notably strict, but they aren't unique. Many countries, including the United States, have similar provisions that allow denial of entry based on criminal allegations.
For Ghana, the focus now shifts to the pitch. Without Partey, the Black Stars will rely on other midfield options against Panama. The England match in Boston is still on the table, but the damage may already be done.