Partey breaks silence on World Cup visa ban as Ghana prepare to face England

Thomas Partey has addressed his absence from Ghana’s World Cup Group L opener against Panama, describing the visa controversy that kept him out of Canada as something that “you cannot control” — while insisting he is fit and ready to face England.

The former Arsenal midfielder was denied entry into Canada after incorrectly declaring on his visa application that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He appealed the decision, but last week an Ottawa court upheld the original ruling, with Justice Roger Lafrenière declining to override the immigration officials’ verdict.

Partey, 33, is due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to alleged incidents between 2020 and 2022.

Speaking ahead of Ghana’s fixture against England in Boston, Partey said of his Toronto absence: “Well I think it’s part of football, things happen in football that you cannot control. For me now, I feel ready to play. I’m okay, I’m feeling good. We’ve been training good and everybody is ready — we are here to try our best and compete with the rest of the teams and I think preparation is key.”

England’s players are expected to shake hands with Partey before kick-off. Declan Rice, his former Gunners team-mate, is set to face him in midfield, and Partey — who is expected to leave Villarreal on a free transfer this summer — said he was looking forward to the reunion.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, they are very good players and I’m happy to play against him again,” Partey said of Rice. “I’m really happy to see them. I hope they’re going to bring their best and try to give ourselves the opportunity to play against the best, try to compete and enjoy the game.”

Asked whether his experience of English football could help Ghana cause an upset, Partey was keen to spread the credit across the squad. “I’m not the only one who played there — there are still players who are playing there and I think it’s about the team and collective play,” he said. “The emotions in camp are really good from our first game, everybody is here to enjoy. We know we have to compete with the best players and that’s why we are here.”