FA confirms no handshake protocols as Spence-Partey incident sparks debate
The Football Association has stated it held no discussions with players regarding pre-match handshakes following social media footage showing Djed Spence bypassing Thomas Partey.
The Football Association has confirmed it did not discuss pre-match handshake protocols with players prior to England’s World Cup group stage match against Ghana in Boston, United States. The statement follows the circulation of social media footage appearing to show England defender Djed Spence not shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before the fixture.
Partey, who plays for Spanish club Villarreal, was booed by England fans throughout the goalless draw. The hostility was directed at the midfielder’s participation in the tournament while he faces seven charges of rape and two of sexual assault in the United Kingdom, allegations he denies. The charges are linked to incidents involving four different women between 2020 and 2022, during Partey’s time with London-based Arsenal. He is scheduled to stand trial in November or later.
Social media footage appeared to show Tottenham Hotspur defender Spence bypassing a handshake with the 33-year-old midfielder during the pre-match introductions following the national anthems. Social media users were quick to spot Spence’s handshake refusal and praised the English right-back for his stance. Some questioned why the US granted a visa to Partey but created a rigmarole with other players, most notably the Iranian team, who received their visas just 10 days before their first match.
Partey had previously missed Ghana’s opening 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto after Canada refused him a visa. FIFA confirmed that host governments determine visa admission, citing the Canadian refusal. On Monday, Partey stated he felt “OK” and was “ready to play” against his former Arsenal teammates Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
People also questioned why Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was allowed to play at the World Cup, when he faces rape allegations, too, and is due to stand trial on the charges. Hakimi has denied the charges. The match in Boston ended in a stalemate, with Partey jeered whenever he received the ball.
