England player refuses Thomas Partey handshake before Ghana match

FootballSports
24 Jun 2026 • 5:55 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

England player refuses Thomas Partey handshake before Ghana match

An England player refused to shake hands with Ghanian midfielder Thomas Partey prior to their World Cup group stage clash.

During half time the BBC reported defender Djed Spence snubbed Partey, who is facing is multiple rape and sexual charges, and is awaiting trial. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Football Association previously said it would not issue guidance to the England squad over whether to shake hands with Partey.

It is understood that the rest of the England players either shook hands or fist-bumped the former Arsenal player. Cameras cut away as the two teams greeted each other during the pre-match duties at Boston Stadium on Tuesday (23 June).

Partey has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by Metropolitan Police.

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