Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, formerly of Arsenal and now playing for Villarreal, faces eight criminal allegations: seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges stem from accusations by four separate women, with the alleged offences occurring between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Timeline of Charges and Court Proceedings
The Crown Prosecution Service first indicted Partey in July 2025 with five rape charges and one sexual assault charge. Following further investigation, prosecutors added two more rape charges in February 2026, bringing the total to eight criminal counts. Partey has been granted bail under strict conditions, including a ban on contacting any of the accusers.
Originally scheduled for November 2026 at Southwark Crown Court, the trial was postponed. It is now set to commence on June 8, 2027, after a court granted a delay.
Visa Issues and World Cup Impact
Due to the ongoing court case, Canadian authorities denied Partey's visa request to enter Canada for Ghana's opening World Cup fixture against Panama on June 17. However, US authorities allowed him entry for other matches with the Ghana national squad, which was based in Boston.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated: "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."
FIFA confirmed: "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 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."
Legal and Sporting Implications
Partey's absence from the World Cup opener due to visa denial highlights the intersection of legal proceedings and international sports. The trial delay means the footballer will continue to play under bail conditions until the June 2027 court date. The case has drawn significant attention given Partey's high-profile career in English and Spanish football.
