Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is set to face England and former Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka in a World Cup match on Tuesday, as he prepares to go on trial next year over multiple rape charges. Partey, who has denied all accusations, is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court after being charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year, with two further rape charges added later.
Partey missed Ghana's opening World Cup game against Panama after Canadian officials refused him entry due to his visa application, which failed to disclose his pending charges. The Ghana Football Association had challenged the decision, but a court ruled that Partey had answered 'No' to questions about criminal offences, despite his high-profile case. The visa denial sparked a political storm in Ghana, with opposition politician Fiifi Boafo criticising the FA for allowing the error.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has maintained that Partey should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, stating: 'Let events run their normal course, let the river flow and one day, when the river meets the ocean, we will find the truth.' Partey is available to play against England in Boston after the US granted him a visa.
The Football Association has left England's players to decide whether to shake hands with Partey during the pre-match ceremony. Partey is not the only player accused of rape at the World Cup; Japan's Kaishu Sano faced similar allegations, which were dropped after an apology and payment, while Morocco's Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for alleged rape, which he denies.
