Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has insisted he has no reservations about selecting Thomas Partey for the upcoming World Cup, even as the midfielder awaits trial on multiple rape charges. Speaking ahead of Tuesday's international friendly against Wales in Cardiff, Queiroz made it clear that he stands by the player and will not be swayed by external pressure.
Partey, now 32 and playing for Spanish club Villarreal, is currently in the UK as part of a 28-man Ghana squad preparing for the tournament. He has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault related to incidents alleged by four women between 2020 and 2022. The trial is scheduled for next year.
When questioned about the selection, Queiroz responded cryptically yet firmly: "If the player is here with me, my answer is clear. I don't have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?" He added that it was not for him or the media to make a judgment, urging everyone to "let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth."
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has previously expressed its support for Partey. President Kurt Okraku stated last year that the governing body stood by the player, who joined Arsenal in 2020 and left at the end of his contract last summer before moving to Villarreal. The GFA's stance appears unshaken despite the gravity of the allegations.
On the pitch, Partey's experience remains invaluable to a Black Stars side that will compete in a challenging World Cup group. Drawn in Group L alongside England and Panama, Ghana opens its campaign on 17 June against the Central American side. Queiroz, a seasoned coach with stints at Portugal, Real Madrid, and as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United, was appointed in April and is eager to make his mark.
The friendly against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium (Tuesday, 2 June, 19:45 BST) serves as a crucial tune-up. It will be Ghana's first match under Queiroz's guidance and an early test of his tactical setup. The game will be broadcast live across BBC platforms, including BBC One Wales, iPlayer, and Radio Wales.
Queiroz expressed excitement about the potential he sees in the squad, stating, "When you talk about football in Ghana, it is in the blood, it is everything. And the talent is here so it is an explosive combination to succeed." He vowed the team is "ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup."
The inclusion of Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo bolsters attacking options. Semenyo joined the squad over the weekend and adds pace and creativity to a frontline that will need to be sharp against Panama and England.
Partey's presence, however, casts a shadow over the team's preparations. While he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the seriousness of the charges has drawn scrutiny. Human rights groups have previously called for stricter vetting of players facing such allegations, but Queiroz's focus remains squarely on football.
For the coach, the selection is a matter of principle until a court rules otherwise. "This is not for me or you to make a judgement about," he insisted, signaling that the off-field controversy will not disrupt his World Cup plans.
As Ghana finalizes its squad for the tournament, the spotlight will remain on Partey. How the situation evolves could have implications not just for the player's career but for the FA's stance on handling players with serious legal entanglements.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
