Partey Included in Ghana's Preliminary World Cup Squad
Villareal midfielder Thomas Partey has been named in Ghana's preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has expressed no concerns regarding the selection of former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey for the tournament.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, which relate to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.
The 32-year-old, currently playing for Spanish club Villarreal, is back in the United Kingdom as part of a 28-man squad preparing to face Wales in a warm-up match in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku previously stated that the governing body supports Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020 and left at the end of his contract last summer.
Coach Queiroz Addresses Selection Concerns
When asked if he had any concerns about selecting Partey, Queiroz responded:
"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.
"This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.
"Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we are going to find the truth."
International Friendly: Wales vs Ghana
The match will be broadcast live on BBC , BBC One Wales, , BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, Sports Extra, the website and app, with live text commentary also available.
Partey Trains with Ghana Ahead of World Cup
Partey has been training with the Ghana squad, which will compete for the first time under coach Queiroz, who was appointed Black Stars manager in April.
Manchester City attacker Antoine Semenyo joined his international teammates over the weekend.
Ghana is drawn in Group L at the World Cup and will face England, with the 2010 quarter-finalists opening their campaign against Panama on 17 June.
Queiroz on Ghana's Football Prospects
Queiroz, who previously managed Portugal and Real Madrid and served as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, expressed enthusiasm about leading Ghana.
"When you talk about football in Ghana, it is in the blood, it is everything," he said.
"And the talent is here so it is an explosive combination to succeed, which was the first and most important attraction to Ghana.
"We're ready to take off and start to fly straight to the World Cup."
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