The Ghanaian Foreign Ministry described the decision as \"high-handed and extremely unfair\" and confirmed that it had formally protested to Canadian authorities while seeking a review of the ruling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to the Ministry, Canadian officials based their decision on ongoing criminal proceedings involving Partey in the United Kingdom. The 32-year-old footballer, who currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal and previously represented Arsenal, has denied allegations of rape and sexual assault brought against him in Britain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a statement, Ghana's government argued that denying entry on the basis of charges that have not yet been adjudicated raises concerns about fairness and proportionality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"While respecting Canada's sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,\" the statement said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
FIFA confirmed that Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana's team base in Boston to Canada for the Group L encounter against Panama after his visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite missing the opening fixture, Partey remains with the Ghana squad in the United States and is available for the team's remaining group-stage matches. Ghana will face England in the Boston area before taking on Croatia in Philadelphia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
FIFA confirmed that Partey will not be able to travel from Ghana's team base in Boston to Canada for the Group L encounter against Panama after his visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ghana are now awaiting Canada's response to their diplomatic protest as the team prepares for its tournament opener without one of its most experienced players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n