A Federal Court judge is expected to rule soon on whether Ghana's Thomas Partey can come to Canada for the World Cup.
Justice Roger Lafrenière heard an injunction application Tuesday seeking to temporarily override Canada's decision to deny entry to Partey, who is awaiting trial on rape and sexual assault charges in England.
The 32-year-old remains in the United States after being refused entry for Ghana's opening soccer match against Panama on Wednesday in Toronto.
Ghana's government has called the decision "extremely unfair" and vowed to challenge it through the courts.
Partey is awaiting trial next year in the United Kingdom on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
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.
Partey is seeking an order permitting his temporary entry into Canada to play for his country pending the final determination of his case.
"The public interest weighs in favour of the order," Partey's lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, said in a written submission to the court. "Canada is a host nation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has an interest in the orderly participation of accredited national-team athletes."
In an affidavit filed with the court, Partey says that while in Canada, he would remain under the continuous supervision of the Ghana Football Association and the team's officials, and that he would leave Canada in accordance with the tournament schedule.
"I have not been convicted of any offence. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent," Partey says.
"This is the first time that my country has qualified at the World Cup, and millions of Ghanaians are hoping for a chance to advance."
Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Ian Walton, file
