Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has addressed rumours about Thomas Partey’s visa to Canada.

This comes after it emerged that the Ghanaian and Villareal FC midfielder had been refused entry into Canada for the World Cup in North America due to his ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

“I am not aware that he has been denied a visa. I knew his previous visa to the United States had some challenges, but he has since been issued a visa to be able to enter the United States, and I was unaware that he had been denied a visa to Canada. No, not that I’m aware,” Mr Adams said.

Thomas Partey is currently facing multiple sexual offence charges in the UK. He has pleaded not guilty and is expected to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court.

According to the Minister, cases of such importance, including visa denial of a selected national player, would have been communicated to his office; however, no such news has reached him.

“I don’t think that if any such thing had happened, they would have communicated to me as Minister for Sports and Recreation. I haven’t received any such communication. I’ve been in touch with the FA and the management who are currently in the United States,” he added.

He also revealed that discussions were ongoing regarding visa arrangements for members of the national team’s technical entourage, including coach Carlos Queiroz’s wife, who is an Iranian national.

“We are going through some processes; they are still considering a decision on her visa, a full decision has not been made yet, so we have been having conversations on that. I’ve not heard anything in relation to Thomas,” he stated.

Reports in England indicate that the FA is considering whether England players should take part in the customary pre-match handshake with Thomas Partey if England and Ghana meet later in the tournament.

About Partey’s sexual assault case

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 three different women.

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.

However, as several clubs would have cut ties with Thomas Partey, either permanently or temporarily, after having been entangled in such a case, Villareal has taken a different turn by allowing him to play and train, citing that they respect the player's insistence on his innocence.

He joined the La Liga side on Thursday, August 7, as a free agent after finalising the move from Arsenal on June 30, after his contract expired.

His move to the Yellow Submarine side marks his return to Spain after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2020.

Thomas Partey, a key figure for the Black Stars, is expected to feature prominently after being named in the squad for the competition.

Under his current bail conditions, he is required to inform authorities of any international travel, while US entry rules also require full disclosure of legal status.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Their campaign begins against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, followed by England on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27.