Canada's Federal Court has rejected a petition submitted by the Ghanaian government to review a decision banning midfielder Thomas Partey from entering the country, confirming that Ghana will be without the player for their opening World Cup match against Panama in the Canadian city of Toronto on Wednesday evening.
The Ghanaian government had applied for a review of the case after the former Arsenal player was refused an entry visa, and had asked the court to issue directives to Canadian immigration authorities allowing the player to submit a new application. However, the Ottawa court ruled to reject the petition, confirming his absence from technical considerations for the first World Cup encounter.
The ban on the 33-year-old player stems from ongoing criminal proceedings against him in Britain, where he faces charges of sexual assault based on allegations made by 4 women between 2020 and 2022 — accusations the player has completely denied. He is scheduled to appear in court next year.