A Federal Court judge has dismissed Thomas Partey’s bid for emergency relief after Canada denied the Ghana midfielder entry for the FIFA World Cup.
Justice Roger Lafrenière, who heard the application Tuesday morning, rejected Partey’s request to temporarily override Canada’s decision and allow him to travel to Toronto for Ghana’s opening match against Panama on Wednesday.
Partey, 32, remains in the United States with the Ghana team after being found inadmissible to Canada.
The former Arsenal player is awaiting trial next year in England on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty.
Lafrenière said Partey failed to show grounds for emergency relief and found the balance of convenience favoured maintaining Canada’s immigration rules.
Canada has said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and that hosting the World Cup does not change the country’s immigration laws.
