The Football Association (FA) has decided to leave it to individual England players whether to shake hands with Ghana’s Thomas Partey ahead of their World Cup group L match in Boston on Tuesday. Partey, a 33-year-old former Arsenal midfielder, faces multiple rape and sexual assault charges but has encountered no travel restrictions in the United States, allowing him to participate in the tournament.

Partey was prevented from entering Canada last week and thus missed Ghana’s opening World Cup game against Panama. However, he has been named in Ghana’s 26-man squad for the fixture against England despite the ongoing legal proceedings. The midfielder was initially charged in July 2025 with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, and additional charges were filed in February 2026. He has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel emphasized the importance of concentrating solely on the sporting aspects of the World Cup, advocating against engaging in politically sensitive matters surrounding the players. Reflecting this approach, the FA has not mandated any formal stance on pre-match handshakes involving Partey and has not initiated discussions with the England squad regarding the issue.

Insiders indicated that the customary handshake prior to the match remains at the players’ own discretion, indicating a reluctance by officials to politicize what they consider a sporting event. The decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Partey’s presence, with officials balancing the presumption of innocence against the serious nature of the charges.

As the tournament progresses, the FA’s measured response highlights the complex intersection of legal proceedings and international sports, underscoring the challenge of navigating player conduct issues under global scrutiny.