The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has justified the decision to include midfielder Thomas Partey in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite the player facing multiple r@pe and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom.
Partey, 32, is accused of five counts of r@pe and one count of sexual assault, allegedly committed between 2021 and 2022 while playing for Arsenal. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, with his next hearing set for September 2 — just two days before Ghana’s qualifier against Chad.
Following the expiry of his Arsenal contract in June, Partey signed for Spanish club Villarreal, where he has made two appearances in La Liga.
GFA Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, explained that the decision was strictly football-based.
“We have supported all our players, and he is aware of his court case, but he has assured us he is ready to join the team and is in the right frame of mind to play,” Twum said. He added that Partey’s performances for Villarreal and his commitment as a senior figure in the national team made him a valuable inclusion.
Ghana currently tops Group I of the African qualifiers with 15 points, ahead of Comoros and Madagascar. The Black Stars will face Chad in N’Djamena on September 4 before hosting Mali in Accra on September 8 in what could prove decisive in their qualification campaign.
