Thomas Partey could line up for Ghana against England on Tuesday in Boston, as the former Arsenal midfielder prepares to begin his World Cup campaign amid multiple rape charges. Partey has denied all accusations, and his lawyer insists he welcomes the chance to clear his name.
Handshake Dilemma for England Players
The Football Association has remained coy over what will happen when England face Ghana, with the pre-match handshake ritual potentially causing discomfort. The FA will leave England's players to decide whether to shake hands with Partey, who counts Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among his former Arsenal teammates.
For some, a handshake will seem uncomfortable. Partey is scheduled to go on trial next year at Southwark Crown Court after being charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year, later increased by two further rape counts. He has denied all charges.
Partey's Visa Issues and Absence
Partey missed Ghana's opening World Cup game against Panama on Thursday due to visa issues, not because of any qualms from the Ghanaian FA. Canada refused him entry, but the USA granted him a visa for the England match. Coach Carlos Queiroz has maintained that Partey should be regarded as 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."
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Canada's decision, calling it "high-handed and extremely unfair." However, when the Ghana FA challenged the visa denial in court, it emerged that Partey had misled officials in his visa application by answering 'No' to having ever been charged with any criminal offence, despite his high-profile rape case.
Political Fallout in Ghana
The visa blunder sparked a political storm in Ghana. Opposition politician Fiifi Boafo said, "All this while, we were being fed lies and inaccurate information... Heads must roll." Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato of the University of Ghana added, "What we are witnessing now is an 'amateur hour' at the GFA. Someone must be held responsible for this error."
The Ghanaian FA defended its role, stating it had "worked closely with the player, his legal representatives, Fifa, and the relevant Canadian authorities" and remained "satisfied that it acted diligently, professionally, and in good faith."
Other Rape Accusations at the World Cup
Partey is not the only player accused of rape at the World Cup. Japan's Kaishu Sano was arrested for gang-rape in 2024 but charges were dropped after he reportedly apologized and made a large payment. Morocco's Achraf Hakimi faces trial for alleged rape in 2023, which he denies, and wrote on X that he had been "waiting for this trial since day one."
England's Stance
The FA has not expressed an official position, and legal experts agree it would be unwise to do so given potential prejudice to Partey's trial. England players are not expected to snub Partey, as most regard the pre-match handshake as a mere formality. Ghana's dramatic 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a 95th-minute Caleb Yirenkyi goal, has somewhat rescued Ghanaian officials from criticism.
