Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has defended midfielder Thomas Partey after the Ghana international was booed by sections of the crowd during Ghana’s friendly match against Wales in Cardiff.
Partey, one of Ghana’s most experienced players, received jeers from some supporters whenever he was on the ball during the match. The reaction comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Arsenal midfielder.
According to court documents in the United Kingdom, Partey has been charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault relating to allegations made by several women concerning incidents said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022.
Partey has denied all the charges and has pleaded not guilty. The case remains before the courts and no verdict has been reached.
When asked about the booing after the game, Queiroz said he was not surprised by the reaction but stressed that the principle of innocent until proven guilty must be respected.
“Nobody should be judged or condemned before a court makes a decision,” the Ghana coach said. “The presumption of innocence must apply to everyone.”
Queiroz criticised what he described as a culture where people are quickly judged in public before legal processes are completed.
“We live in a weird world,” he said. “I don’t like seeing this energy of impunity on social media and in the media.”
The Portuguese trainer argued that public opinion should not replace the work of the courts and insisted that every individual deserves a fair hearing before conclusions are drawn.
Despite the controversy surrounding Partey, Queiroz remains focused on football matters as Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The midfielder continues to be an important member of the Black Stars squad and is expected to play a key role during the tournament.
The coach believes the team’s attention should remain on preparations for their opening World Cup match against Panama while allowing the legal process involving Partey to take its course.
