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England defender Djed Spence appeared to avoid shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup match, drawing attention amid the ongoing legal case involving the former Arsenal player.
Partey was charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following an investigation by London's Metropolitan Police. The allegations involve three women and relate to incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 while he was playing for Arsenal. He has denied all charges.
In April 2026, Partey pleaded not guilty to two additional rape charges linked to alleged incidents in 2020. According to reports, a trial that was initially scheduled for November 2026 could now be delayed until January 2027. His lawyer has maintained that Partey welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.
Ahead of England's World Cup clash with Ghana, there was speculation about whether players would participate in the customary pre-match handshakes. The Football Association reportedly did not discuss the matter with England's squad before the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Several England players have previously faced Partey in club football, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were his teammates at Arsenal. Television broadcasts cut away before the handshakes were shown, but footage shared online appeared to show Spence keeping his hand in his pocket as Partey passed by. The Ghanaian midfielder briefly looked back before continuing.
The moment was noted during the BBC's coverage, with presenter Gabby Logan commenting that Spence seemed not to have shaken Partey's hand.
Partey also faced a hostile reception from supporters inside Boston Stadium. Fans reportedly booed when his name was announced before kickoff and jeered whenever he touched the ball during the match.
The midfielder had missed Ghana's opening World Cup game against Panama after being denied entry into Canada. Reports stated that authorities rejected his appeal after he indicated he had never been arrested or charged with a crime.
Before facing England, Partey said he felt prepared to play despite the scrutiny surrounding him. He remarked that certain situations outside football are beyond a player's control.
After the match, England manager Thomas Tuchel declined to address questions related to the case. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz defended keeping off-field issues separate from the sport, saying football should remain free from politics and external disputes whenever possible.
