Ghana's Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has 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.

Ghana is set to play Panama on June 17, and despite being selected as part of the main squad, Partey has been denied entry into the host country.

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."

Adams also argued that countries awarded major sporting events are normally required to guarantee entry for participating athletes and officials.

"There are many clauses that they sign on to. Amongst them are unfettered rights to clubs that may be participating if it's a club competition or nations that will be participating, and their athletes would have to be given visas."

Citing the Somalian referee’s case, who was denied entry into the US despite being appointed by FIFA itself to officiate FIFA matches, the minister said the Partey case was not an isolated incident.

"We saw a referee that FIFA itself has appointed and has been denied entry. And now we've seen athletes or players who have been searched on their bodies with all kinds of sniffing dogs."

He also made reference to the US, which granted entry to Partey, who applied while in the UK despite his trial in the latter country.

"Thomas has been issued a visa to America recently. He applied in the United Kingdom and was issued a visa to enter the United States. That is why he's in America currently."

While acknowledging that Canada has the sovereign right to determine who enters its territory, Adams urged the authorities to reconsider the decision.

"I think the higher authority has the opportunity to review this decision, and they must do so."

Although he will miss Ghana's opener against Panama in Toronto, the midfielder remains eligible for the Black Stars' remaining group-stage matches against England and Croatia in the United States.

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.