Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada, Misses World Cup Opener
The flight from Boston to Toronto was supposed to carry Ghana’s hopes. Instead, Thomas Partey stayed grounded, not by injury, not by form, but by a single stamp that never came. Just days before the Black Stars’ opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a quiet but crushing blow landed on Ghana’s camp. The former Arsenal midfielder, now plying his trade with Villarreal in Spain, was denied entry into Canada. His visa application had been refused by Canadian authorities, and the news arrived like a cold wind on the eve of battle. According to BBC Sport, FIFA confirmed the development on Friday. Partey had been training with his teammates in Boston, the team’s designated base before crossing the border. But Canadian immigration officials had other plans. No visa. No entry. No Panama clash in Toronto. In a brief statement, FIFA distanced itself from the decision. “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas,” the governing body said. “The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.” For four-time African champions Ghana, the timing could not be worse. Partey, 32, remains one of the most influential players in Otto Addo’s squad. His experience, his composure in midfield, his ability to break lines, all of it will be missing when the Black Stars face Panama. The visa refusal, however, does not exist in a vacuum. Partey is scheduled to stand trial next year, having pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four women between 2020 and 2022. Canadian authorities have not publicly explained their decision, but the shadow of those legal proceedings now falls across the World Cup stage. Partey joins an unhappy club of football figures caught in immigration tangles at this expanded 48-team tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Somali referee Omar Artan, selected by FIFA to officiate, was previously denied entry into the United States,vanother reminder that even FIFA’s stamp carries no weight at a sovereign border. For coach Otto Addo, the tactical board must be redrawn. For Ghanaian fans, the hope that Partey would orchestrate their midfield has turned to hollow resignation. And as the Black Stars prepare to step onto the pitch in Toronto, one of their brightest lights will be watching from somewhere else, locked out, literally, from the game he was born to play. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Mikel Arteta explains Partey’s substitution in Arsenal’s Europa League victory at Olympiacos
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists Thomas Partey‘s early substitution in the second half of their Europa League game against Olympiacos was purely tactical. Thomas Partey provided the assist as Arsenal took a 34th-minute lead through Martin Odegaard, but had to be replaced ten minutes after the break by Dani Ceballos. “No, it was all tactical decisions or things that we wanted to change in the game,” Arteta revealed. “Because I wanted to change him and bring somebody else in to try to find some other stuff and try to change the shape with the way we were playing inside,” he added. Olympiacos leveled three minutes after Partey’s substitution through Yousef El Arabi, but a late surge by the English giants saw them reclaim the lead to go on and win 3-1. Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães put Arsenal in the lead with ten minutes left before Egyptian star Mohammed El Nenny sealed victory five minutes from time. Partey has now made 17 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and has two assists to his credit. He is yet to net his first-ever Arsenal goal. Ghana soccernet Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093
Arsenal make £45m move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Partey
Arsenal have made a late move to sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid before tonight’s transfer deadline, Goal has learned. The Ghana international – who has a release clause of £45 million (€50m/$58m) – has been a priority target for the Gunners all summer. Discussions with Atletico have taken place during the past few months, with Arsenal hoping to land the midfielder for a fee less than his release clause, but Atletico have consistently stated that the only way Partey will be leaving this summer is if that clause is activated. Arsenal have previously indicated that the release is too high, but Goal has been told that stance has now changed and Arsenal are willing to meet the clause and have indicated such to La Liga, who hold the player’s registration. Arsenal’s legal team are now at the club’s London Colney training ground working to get the deal done. Speaking about possible incomings after Sunday’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United, boss Mikel Arteta reassured fans that the club would be doing all they can to add to the squad before Monday night’s deadline. “What I can guarantee is that we are doing our maximum for that to happen, whether we are going to achieve it or not, I don’t know,” said the Spaniard, when discussing the possibility of bringing in new signings. “I cannot discuss the players that we want but we recognise certain positions that we believe we are short in. First of all in numbers and then adding different qualities to complement each other and this is what we are trying to do. “I always try to be really honest and clear. Believe me that the ownership, the board, myself, are doing everything we can to maximise the resources we have to improve the team and to sustain and keep the players that are in this club to make this club successful. “I have 100% backing from them. It’s not just words, it’s reality. Whoever knows me, if it wasn’t like that I wouldn’t say it but I say it because I feel it and it’s true.” Partey has been one of Arsenal’s top targets this summer along with Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, who has now confirmed he will be staying with the French club for another year. Atletico do not want to lose their midfielder and have given him assurances that he will be handed a new contract once the financial difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic begin to lessen, but as previously reported by Goal, Partey wants a move to Arsenal and has been waiting to see if a deal can be struck. The Gunners have now made their move and are trying to finalise the transfer before tonight’s 11pm deadline Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana Please kindly contact APEXNEWSGH on Email:apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications