Partey breaks silence on World Cup visa issues ahead of England clash | Football | Sport

Thomas Partey has claimed that missing Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama due to ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK is “just part of football.” The former Arsenal midfielder was refused entry into Canada after incorrectly declaring on his visa application that he had never been arrested or charged with a criminal offence.

He challenged the ruling, but last week in an Ottawa courtroom, Justice Roger Lafrenière did not overturn the decision made by immigration authorities. The 33-year-old is due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2020 and 2022.

Speaking ahead of the fixture against England, Partey addressed his absence in Toronto: “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, who encountered no difficulties in securing an American visa. Declan Rice is poised to face his former Gunners team-mate in midfield, and Partey — who is widely expected to depart Villarreal on a free transfer this summer — is embracing the prospect.

On the challenge of facing Rice, he said: “I know it’s not going to be easy, they are very good players and I’m happy to play against him again. “I’m really happy to see them [old Arsenal team-mates].

“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.”

When pressed on whether his familiarity with English football could prove advantageous in Ghana’s bid to cause an upset, Partey remarked: “Well I think 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.

“We have to, you know, work on our way of playing and try to compete with them. I think the emotions in camp are really good from our first game, everybody is here to enjoy. We are going to this game, we know we have to compete with the best players and that’s why we are here, to compete with the best players and also to learn.”