Ghana’s attempt to appeal the denial of a visa to Thomas Partey for Canada has failed. This comes after the 33-year-old Ghanaian midfielder failed to disclose he was a subject of multiple sexual assault cases and is currently standing trial in the UK.

As part of the official squad for Ghana in the Black Stars' World Cup opener against Panama, he is going to miss the fixture.

The Ghanaian government made a last-minute legal and diplomatic effort to secure permission for him to enter the country briefly to take part in the game, but that appeal was rejected by a federal court in Ottawa.

According to the court, there was “no serious issue in the underlying refusal” of the visa and “the applicant failed to disclose that he is the subject of multiple criminal charges for sexual violence in the UK”.

The Ghanaian international's legal woes began just four days after he departed from Arsenal. He is currently facing six serious criminal charges in the UK. The charges were formally presented at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. These charges have been levelled against him by about three different women and is set to stand trial next year.

According to Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), “Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws.

“Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies,” they told the BBC in an interview.

Circumstances leading to Canada’s visa denial

IRCC officials had written to Partey to express concerns about whether his application had met the requirement to “answer truthfully” and referenced legislation covering misrepresentation, which could impact a visa.

The court also noted that under immigration rules, “having reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed is sufficient”, and a conviction is not required to find the applicant inadmissible.

Partey, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, has played more than 50 times for Ghana, having made his debut in June 2016.

Before the tournament, head coach Carlos Queiroz said he had no qualms over selecting Partey.

Asked about the issue again on Tuesday, he said, “My business is to play with the cards that I have in front of me.

“We are waiting for a decision. When the decision [arrives], we are ready.”

Ghana play England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in Philadelphia on 27 June.

Sports Minister's earlier remarks on FIFA's statement on Partey's visa denial

Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, on June 13, called out the World football governing body, FIFA, concerning its posture on Canada’s denial of Black Stars midfielder, Thomas Partey, to participate in Ghana’s World Cup opener.

While Canada has defended its actions, Kofi Adams has slammed FIFA for its inability to protect players competing at the tournament.

Earlier, in response to Canada’s denial, FIFA said, “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country”

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government”, FIFA noted.

"And that is why I am equally very much disappointed in the behaviour of FIFA, the world governing football body, in handling situations that have arisen as part of this FIFA World Cup 2026. "I think they have poorly handled a lot of things, and the earlier they sit up, the better," Adams said.

The minister argued that FIFA should have done more to prevent a situation in which a key player is unable to represent his country after being selected for the tournament.

"FIFA cannot say that it cannot interfere with the internal affairs of the host countries as to whether they admit a person into their country or not. This should not have been the position, especially for a player."

He added that the issue extended beyond immigration policy because it directly affected the sporting integrity of the competition.

"For you to just say that they can choose based on their national laws to deny a player, not a fan, but a player, a key player for that matter, who finds himself as being selected in the first team, and for FIFA to issue such a lame statement is so unfortunate."

Partey's sexual assault charges

In one of the charges, Complainant 1 claims that, between April and May 2021, Partey penetrated her anally during what began as consensual vaginal intercourse, without her consent. She further claims that between April and June 2021, Partey engaged her in anal sex on at least four separate occasions without her consent.

Complainant 2 also alleges that in December 2021, after she refused to engage in sexual activity, Partey raped her vaginally. She also claims that in February 2022, he penetrated her anally after she explicitly declined anal sex. A third allegation from Complainant 2 states that during a trip to Marbella, Spain, in June 2022, Partey raped her vaginally.

Complainant 3 also claims that in February 2022, Partey lay on top of her, attempted to kiss her, and touched her over her clothes without her consent.

However, the player has denied all the allegations levelled against him. His lawyer has denied the charges of rape and sexual assault against her client.

The statement issued by Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, noted:“Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name."

The lawyer noted that as legal proceedings are ongoing, her client will not make any further comment on the matter. Under UK law, rape and sexual assault are prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which sets out clear definitions and penalties for these crimes. Rape is defined as intentional penile penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person without their consent and without a reasonable belief that they consent.

Sexual assault involves intentionally touching another person sexually without their consent.

Police said the investigation was opened in February 2022 when it first received a report of rape.

In the case of Thomas Partey, if he is found guilty of the multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, especially involving multiple complainants and repeated offences, he could face a lengthy custodial sentence, potentially 15–25 years or more, depending on the court’s assessment of harm and culpability.