Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his decision to include midfielder Thomas Partey in Ghana's squad for Tuesday's friendly against Wales in Cardiff, insisting that the presumption of innocence must apply until a court reaches a verdict.

Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder who now plays for Villarreal in Spain, has been charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault in London between 2020 and 2022. The 32-year-old denies all the charges, and a trial has been set for November this year, although it could be delayed until 2027.

Queiroz had named Partey in a provisional 28-man World Cup squad, and the midfielder could play on British soil for the first time since his court appearance last September when Ghana face Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.

"It's a simple and basic answer," said the 73-year-old Portuguese coach when asked about his decision to pick Partey. "As far as I know, in England, in Portugal, whatever, we are living in this world, until the court makes a decision, that the presumption of innocence is on the side of all court cases.

"But today and this is not only about Thomas, very unfortunately the way the social media and the media sometimes act with full and total impunity, we are condemned even before we have the opportunity to defend. So let the events run this normal course. Let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean, we're going to find the truth."

The friendly against Wales carries additional significance as it marks the 150th anniversary of the Football Association of Wales and is the first time the Dragons have faced African opposition on home soil. Ghana were more than willing to meet British opposition before taking on Thomas Tuchel's England side in Boston on 23rd June, as both teams are drawn in the same World Cup group.

"It is an honour for us to be here and to play against the national team of Wales," said Queiroz, who served as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United and coached Iran at the last World Cup. This will be his first match in charge of Ghana since his appointment in April.

"For us, it is important because it is part of our World Cup preparation. Everything has gone according to our goals and we are ready for take-off and to go to the World Cup. I know from my experience that when we play great football, we have a great chance to win. So this is what we want to try to do against Wales and we want to express ourselves in this game."

Ghana opens their World Cup Group L campaign against Panama in Toronto on 17th June, followed by the highly anticipated clash with England in Boston on 23rd June, before facing Croatia in Philadelphia on 27th June.

Alongside Partey, Queiroz has named Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo, Coventry striker Brandon Thomas-Asante, Leicester attacker Jordan Ayew, and Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams in a squad blending experience with emerging talent.

The Black Stars will be hoping to end a five-match winless run stretching back to their World Cup qualification campaign, with the Wales friendly serving as the final preparation before the team departs for North America.