Djed Spence appeared to not shake hands with Thomas Partey before England’s match against Ghana. Not all handshakes were shown on live televised pictures, but shots have emerged on social media of the Spurs defender appearing to snub the 33-year-old. All other England players appeared to shake hands with Partey. Before the match, the FA gave no specific guidance to England’s players for when they came face to face with Partey during the pre-match ceremony in Boston. However, the expectation was that all of England’s
players would follow FIFA protocols and shake hands with each of their opponents, as they did against Croatia in Dallas last week. Partey denies seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and is due to stand trial next year. He is currently playing for Villarreal in Spain. Partey was absent from Ghana’s opening World Cup game in Toronto last week, after Canadian officials denied him entry to the country. He was
available to play against England in Boston in the second game because the US has granted him a visa.
Djed Spence, Thomas Partey, England vs Ghana, handshake, FA guidance, FIFA protocols, Villarreal, trial next year
Handshake drama over a game? lol.
If he didn’t shake his hand, good for Spence. I don’t care what the protocol says. That guy has charges, so yeah, awkward is the point.
I’m not even sure he “snubbed” him. Like maybe the cameras missed it, or he was just walking. But also FIFA protocols?? Isn’t that like mandatory? Idk, FA shoulda told them what to do instead of leaving it vague.
This is why sports are weird now. Next they’ll be telling players to shake hands with whoever is accused of stuff, even if they’re under trial. And didn’t Canada deny him entry, so why is he even traveling like that? Also Villarreal?? I swear I saw him with Spurs years ago or something, so the whole timeline is confusing. Anyway, handshake or not, seems like the FA didn’t plan it right.