WATCH: Djed Spence refuses Thomas Partey handshake before England vs Ghana at FIFA World Cup 2026
The England vs Ghana match took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
England took on Ghana in their second Group L clash at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 23. With both sides entering the match with three points, the match was crucial in deciding the group dynamics. However, one moment stole the spotlight even before the game had kicked off.
During the elaborate pre-match ritual, both sets of players shook hands with each other, as is customary. However, England full-back Djed Spence appeared to refuse a handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey.
Despite the television cameras cutting away from the players during the handshakes, footage captured from the stands by fans began doing the rounds on social media. It showed Spence not putting out his hand to reciprocate Partey’s handshake offer.
Other than him, all other England players reportedly shook Partey’s hand or fist-bumped with the former Arsenal man. Spence, too, shook hands with all the other Ghanaian players.
Also Read: Why is Marcus Rashford not starting tonight for England vs Ghana in FIFA World Cup 2026?
Why did Spence snub Partey handshake?
At the time of writing, neither player has spoken about the incident, so the actual reason is not clear. However, it is almost certainly linked to Partey’s pending trial in London for sexual assault and rape.
Partey, who currently plays for La Liga side Villarreal, has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in London. The alleged incidents took place between 2020 and 2022 while he was playing for the Gunners. The player has maintained his innocence.
He was denied entry into Canada and missed his team’s opening match against Panama, reportedly because he wrote in his visa application that he had never faced criminal charges.
He has been cleared to enter the United States and thus returned to the starting lineup for the match against the Three Lions. However, he was given a harsh reception by the fans in the stadium, who booed when his name was announced and every time he touched the ball during the game.
Why did Djed Spence snub Thomas Partey?
Neither player has commented, but it is almost certainly linked to Partey’s pending rape and sexual assault trial in London.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.