“high-handed and extremely unfair”. These are the words the Ghanian government has used to describe the ruling that has Thomas Partey missing Ghana’s opening game in Canada. Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
He is due to stand trial next year.
A statement, from the Ghana government said it is “pursuing active diplomatic engagements” with Canadian officials and hopes to reverse the decision.
It read: “The decision is understood to be based on pending criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom that have not resulted in any conviction.
“The government of Ghana reaffirms the fundamental legal principle of the presumption of innocence, a cornerstone of justice.”
The government said it will “explore and pursue all available remedies to ensure full and fair consideration of all factual issues”.
On the Canadian government website, rules on visiting the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey remains at the Ghana base in Boston and he hopes to feature in games against England and Croatia

