Canada has blocked Thomas Partey from entering the country to play in Ghana’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. The visa rejection has sparked a legal and diplomatic debate about the presumption of innocence.

Partey, who plays for Spanish side Villarreal, is facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom. He's pleaded not guilty to all charges and hasn't yet stood trial.

Former Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Alfred Tuah-Yeboah questioned the decision on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, June 16. “When I read that story, I asked myself, where lies the presumption of innocence?” he said.

“That presumption of innocence is part of the common law tradition we inherited from England. If Canada is part of the Commonwealth and practises common law, then it also subscribes to the principle of presumption of innocence,” Tuah-Yeboah added.

He stressed that being charged isn't the same as being guilty. “The fact that Partey is undergoing prosecution in the UK doesn't mean that he is guilty,” he said.

Tuah-Yeboah went further, suggesting that if Canadian law allows exclusion based solely on pending charges, it should be reviewed. “By their decision, it means that so long as you are undergoing criminal prosecution anywhere, you can't enter Canada. If that's what their laws provide, then I think they must review them. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of the principle of innocence until proven guilty,” he argued.

The Black Stars are based in the United States for training. Partey couldn't travel from the US to Canada for the Group L fixture after his visa application was rejected.

The Government of Ghana has reportedly taken legal action to challenge the decision. A court case is now underway.

Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder, has been a key player for Ghana. He helped the team qualify for the 2026 World Cup. His absence is a major blow for the squad ahead of the tournament opener.

The charges against him date back to incidents in the UK. He's consistently maintained his innocence. No trial date has been set yet.

Tuah-Yeboah's comments highlight a tension between immigration rules and legal principles. Canada, like Ghana, follows the British common law system. The principle of presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of that system.

For now, Ghana will face Panama without one of its biggest stars. The legal fight over the visa decision continues.