England player Declines Handshake with Thomas Partey Amid Sexual Assault Allegations in UK
England defender Djed Spence appeared to deliberately avoid shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before kick-off in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup clash, a moment that quickly sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Video footage and images circulating online showed most England players greeting the Ghana international during the traditional pre-match handshake, but Spence seemingly bypassed Partey, leading to speculation over the incident.
Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal, is facing several rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom, all of which he has denied, with a trial expected in 2027.
The incident was not shown on the main FIFA broadcast feed, but photographs and alternative footage later emerged showing the apparent snub. The moment added another layer of controversy surrounding Partey’s return to Ghana’s line-up after missing the Black Stars’ opening World Cup match against Panama due to visa issues.
