The drama unfolds before the whistle even blows. Carlos Keirosh, the seasoned architect of Ghana national football team, has dropped a bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world. He has selected Tomas Parti for the World Cup squad. But here is the twist that has the world holding its breath: Parti is facing multiple charges of rape.

The Presumption of Innocence

Keirosh did not flinch. Speaking from Cardiff, where Ghana faced Wales in a friendly, the Portuguese tactician stood his ground. "We respect the presumption of innocence," he declared. Parti, currently plying his trade for Villarreal CF, has pleaded not guilty to allegations spanning from 2020 to 2025 during his tenure at Arsenal. The courtroom battle is scheduled to begin in November or later.

"Let the river flow," Keirosh said, invoking a metaphor for truth. "One day, when it meets the ocean, we will know." He criticized the swift judgments of social media and parts of the press. "Today, not just Tomas, but all of us, are often condemned before we even get a chance to defend ourselves."

Focus on the Pitch

The manager’s stance is clear. When pressed about the selection, his response was blunt: "If the player is here with me, then my answer is clear." Keirosh, preparing for his fifth consecutive World Cup as a manager, insists on shielding the locker room from external chaos. He pointed out that the world faces far more serious issues and that this situation is beyond his control.

Now, all eyes turn to the tournament. Ghana enters Group L, opening against Panama on June 17, followed by England, and finishing with Croatia on June 27. This marks Ghana’s fifth appearance in the last six World Cups. Their peak remains the 2010 edition in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals before a heartbreak defeat to Uruguay on penalties. The stage is set. The controversy simmers. But for Keirosh, the only thing that matters is the ninety minutes ahead.