Spence appears to skip Partey handshake before England-Ghana match
Thomas Partey was booed by England supporters after Djed Spence appeared to avoid shaking his hand before Ghana’s World Cup match.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
England defender Djed Spence appeared to avoid shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup group match, and England supporters later booed Partey’s early touches, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The moment drew attention because Partey is facing criminal charges in the United Kingdom, allegations he has denied.
The incident came before Tuesday’s Group L match between England and Ghana in the Boston area of the United States, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Footage shared on social media appeared to show Spence, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, moving past Partey during the pre-match line after the national anthems.
Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that Partey was then jeered whenever he received the ball in the opening stages. A Reuters photograph from before the match showed England midfielder Jude Bellingham shaking hands with Partey during the introductions.
Charges have followed Partey into the tournament
Partey, 33, is facing seven rape charges and two sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The charges relate to allegations made by four women and concern the period between 2020 and 2022, when Partey was playing for Arsenal in London.
Partey has denied the allegations, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. He is scheduled to go on trial in November or later.
The Ghana midfielder now plays for Villarreal in Spain’s La Liga, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Before the England match, Partey said on Monday that he felt “OK” and was “ready to play” against former Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
Partey did not play in Ghana’s first World Cup match, a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto, after Canada refused him a visa, according to Al Jazeera. He later took part in Ghana’s second match after entering the United States for the fixture against England.
Reaction spread online
Al Jazeera and Reuters reported that social media users quickly circulated the pre-match footage and praised Spence for what they viewed as a refusal to shake Partey’s hand. Others questioned why Partey had been allowed to enter the United States while other players faced visa delays.
Some posts compared Partey’s situation with that of Iran’s squad, which received visas 10 days before its opening match, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Users also raised the case of Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, who faces rape allegations and is due to stand trial, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.
Hakimi has denied the allegations against him, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Both cases have kept questions about off-field legal proceedings in the spotlight during the World Cup.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.