The government is mounting a legal challenge in a Canadian federal court today in a bid to overturn the visa denial that has sidelined star midfielder Thomas Partey from the World Cup.
Partey, 33, is currently barred from entering Canada for Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama in Toronto due to his pending trial in the UK on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault, allegations he strongly denies.
With the match just 48 hours away, Ghana’s foreign ministry has called the refusal “high-handed”. It is urgently seeking judicial intervention to allow a temporary entry permit or a fresh application.
The hearing was scheduled for 2 PM BST (1 PM GMT) in Ottawa.
While Ghana is also pursuing diplomatic channels, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has stood firm, reiterating that “every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually” and that event hosting does not override immigration law.
Partey, who has over 50 caps for his country, retains the full backing of head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Ghana faces England and Croatia later in the group stage, but their qualification hopes hinge on a result in Toronto without their key midfielder.
