Partey denied Canadian visa for Ghana's World Cup opener in Toronto
Partey denied entry to Canada for Ghana's opener
Thomas Partey will not play in Toronto on Wednesday. A Canadian judge rejected the Ghana midfielder's visa appeal, keeping him out of the World Cup match against Panama at BMO Field (1) (2) (3).
No further details on the grounds for the denial were released. The judge heard the appeal and ruled against Partey, meaning Ghana face their Group D opener without their most experienced midfielder (1).
Ghana–Panama goes ahead in Toronto
The match is still on. Canada hosts Ghana vs Panama on Wednesday, a World Cup fixture played on home soil, even if your own team is not on the pitch (1).
The score from this one will shape Group D. No other host nation has had a player barred from entering the country by its own courts for a World Cup match.
Sources
- 1. theguardian.com — Ghana’s Thomas Partey has visa appeal rejected by Canadian judge
- 2. hln.be — Ghana vangt bot bij Canadees gerecht: Partey krijgt geen visum - Neymar traint opnieuw
- 3. voetbalprimeur.nl — Partey en Ghana verliezen beroep, middenvelder niet welkom tijdens eerste WK-duel