England defender Djed Spence appeared to decline a handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup group stage match in Boston on Wednesday. The gesture occurred as players lined up following the national anthems, a moment typically marked by handshakes or fist bumps.

According to observers, while most of England’s squad engaged in the customary greeting with Partey, Spence, who plays for Tottenham and is 25 years old, seemed to withdraw his hand. The incident was not captured by FIFA-controlled camera crews, but was noted from a distance by those present. No formal discussion about the handshake took place within the England camp ahead of the match, with team officials choosing to focus solely on preparations for the game.

Partey, 33, was in the starting lineup for Ghana, returning after missing his country’s opening World Cup fixture against Panama in Toronto. His absence was due to a denied visa application for Canada, upheld on appeal last week following revelations that details of charges against him had not been disclosed during the visa process. Partey faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, charges to be addressed at Southwark Crown Court next year.

The announcement of Partey’s name on the stadium’s large screen drew a mixed reaction from the Boston crowd, predominantly England supporters. Loud boos were audible, although small groups of Ghana fans, some wearing Partey jerseys and holding homemade signs in his support, cheered the midfielder more enthusiastically than other Ghanaian players.

Before the match, the two teams did not interact during warm-ups, but the obligatory handshake line after the anthems made contact unavoidable. England’s players found themselves in a delicate position given the ongoing legal proceedings involving Partey and the ethical implications surrounding a pre-match greeting.

Partey was initially arrested in July 2022 but continued to play for Arsenal until his contract ended following the 2024-25 season. He subsequently signed with Spanish club Villarreal after leaving Arsenal.

The moment highlighted the complex intersection between sport, legal issues, and personal conduct that can arise in international competitions, as players and teams navigate professional responsibilities amid controversial off-field circumstances.