Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz launched a passionate defence of Thomas Partey after the Villarreal midfielder was persistently booed by the Welsh crowd during Tuesday night's 1-1 friendly draw at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Partey, who faces trial in London on eight counts of serious sexual offences to which he has pleaded not guilty, was jeered by the majority of the home supporters every time he touched the ball. The hostility began with his first touch of the evening and did not relent throughout his forty-five minutes on the pitch before he was withdrawn at half-time.

Asked about the treatment of his player after the match at a press conference, Queiroz did not hide his frustration.

"I'm not surprised. We live in a weird world," the Portuguese trainer said. "I'm never tired of saying it. You should be concerned with how this modern world works – where anyone can say or do whatever they want with total impunity."

'Presumption of innocence must apply'

Queiroz argued forcefully that Partey should not be judged before the legal process has run its course.

"Nobody should be judged or condemned before a court makes a decision. The presumption of innocence must apply to everyone, starting with you, the press. But you publish things before the court. That's your problem. You are responsible for creating this culture of impunity."

The Ghana coach did not hide his disdain for what he described as the modern media and social media landscape, where individuals are tried in the court of public opinion long before any legal verdict.

"I hear barbaric things said about me, about players, about coaches. But I can't shut myself off. It's the modern world. I have to accept it. But honestly, I don't like it. I have the right to say I don't like it."

'You care about what sells newspapers'

Queiroz reserved some of his sharpest criticism for the press, accusing journalists of prioritising sensationalism over fairness.

"I don't like seeing this energy of impunity on social media and in the media – that you can do and say anything you want. That is the biggest challenge of the modern world, in my humble opinion. But that doesn't sell newspapers, and you don't care about that. You care about what sells newspapers."

Partey's evening on the pitch

On the field, Partey's night was equally uncomfortable. In the thirtieth minute, after Wales winger Dan James had zoomed past him, Partey chopped down his opponent by the ankles, earning a clear yellow card and triggering another round of boos from the home supporters.

Remarkably, he remained on the pitch. Ten minutes later, Partey was late on David Brooks about twenty-five yards out, preventing a clear shooting opportunity. In a competitive fixture, it would almost certainly have been a second yellow card. The referee, however, gave Partey the benefit of the doubt and issued a final warning.

Partey was withdrawn at half-time, one of four changes made by Queiroz as Ghana looked to reset after a first half in which Wales had dominated possession and twice hit the woodwork.

Queiroz stands by his player

Despite the off-field controversy and the on-field struggles, Queiroz made clear that Partey remains an important part of his World Cup plans. The coach has consistently defended his decision to include the midfielder in his provisional squad, citing the legal principle of presumption of innocence.

Partey is due to stand trial in London in June 2027. He has entered not guilty pleas and denies all charges. For now, Queiroz insists his player deserves to be treated as innocent until proven otherwise – regardless of the reaction from opposition crowds.

Ghana now travel to the United States for further preparations before their World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto on 18th June. Whether Partey starts that match remains to be seen, but Queiroz has made it abundantly clear where he stands.