Sports · 23 June, 2026 · 2 min read
Djed Spence Skips Handshake With Rape-Accused Thomas Partey Before England Vs Ghana
Spence did not shake hands with Partey before England-Ghana World Cup match in Boston. Partey faces rape charges; trial scheduled for next year.
Whether the FA gave guidance on handshake contact.
9 of 10 outlets skipped it: tuchel praised Ghana’s defensive discipline; ‘two to tango’..
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Same story, two versions
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One stresses no guidance; another stresses no pre-match discussion.
Handshake snub in Boston
England’s Djed Spence appeared to skip shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup Group L clash in Boston, a moment that drew attention as the match ended in a 0-0 draw. The BBC said footage circulating on social media appeared to show Spence not shaking hands with Partey before the match, while the BBC also reported that Partey was booed by England fans as his name was read out over the public address system.B
Partey, who was booed during the game, had missed Ghana’s 1-0 win against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry to Canada, and he was scheduled to stand trial next year. The BBC also reported that Partey pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and that the Football Association did not discuss the pre-match handshake with players before the match.B
FA guidance and legal case
Sky Sports News said the FA gave no specific guidance to England’s players for when they come face to face with Partey during the pre-match ceremony in Boston, and it added that officials decided not to advise players about any contact to avoid any perception they were pre-judging the criminal case. SSky Sports also reported that Thomas Tuchel was asked about Spence in his post-match press conference after England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, but was advised against commenting by a media official.S
Partey’s legal situation was described as ongoing, with the BBC stating he was scheduled to stand trial next year and that he pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault. BThe BBC further quoted US Customs and Border Protection saying, "The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey," while adding that he had not been convicted and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.B
Match stakes and fallout
Firstpost reported that both England and Ghana had the chance to seal a berth in the Round of 32 of the World Cup with a win, but the game ended in a stalemate with no side being able to score. Firstpost said the result left England and Ghana tied on four points with their groupmates Croatia and Panama due to play later on Tuesday, keeping the Group L race unresolved after the 0-0 draw.
After the match, SO FOOT quoted England manager Thomas Tuchel saying, "We tried to pierce Ghana's tight defense, but they defended with a lot of determination and discipline," as he assessed why England could not find a breakthrough. SO FOOT also recorded Tuchel refusing to comment on the absence of a handshake between Djed Spence and Thomas Partey, while he urged observers to be lucid and said, "You know, it takes two to tango."