Tuesday, 16 June

Thomas Partey's Canada visa challenge reaches Federal Court

Sports News
Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey's attempt to overturn Canada's decision to deny him entry for Ghana's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has moved to the Federal Court of Canada.

According to a hearing list published by the court, a motion for an interlocutory injunction in the case Thomas Teye Partey v. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration was scheduled for Tuesday, June 16.

The matter, listed as case number IMM-12882-26, was set to begin at 9 AM and allocated one hour.

The hearing marks the latest development in efforts to make the Ghana midfielder available for the Black Stars' Group L opener against Panama in Toronto.

Partey did not travel with the team to Canada after being denied a Temporary Resident Visa by Canadian authorities. The Black Stars arrived in Toronto on Monday without the midfielder, who remained in the United States.

The Ghanaian government has since pursued both diplomatic and legal avenues to challenge the decision.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said discussions have been held with Canadian officials and that efforts are continuing to resolve the matter before Ghana's opening match.

Ghana's position is that Partey has not been convicted of any offence and should be afforded the presumption of innocence.

The visa refusal is believed to be connected to ongoing criminal proceedings involving the player in the United Kingdom. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges through his legal representatives, and the case remains before the courts.

The Federal Court is expected to consider whether temporary relief should be granted to allow the 31-year-old to enter Canada while the broader immigration matter is being determined.

If the application succeeds, Partey could join the Black Stars ahead of the match against Panama. If it is denied, Ghana will begin its World Cup campaign without one of its most experienced players.

Following the Panama game, Ghana will return to the United States for Group L fixtures against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia, where Partey remains eligible to play.

Source: classfmonline.com