The minutes leading up to the kickoff of the match between England and Ghana, part of the second round of Group L (0-0) of the World Cup, were marked by a moment of slight tension during the players’ greetings. Djed Spence, the English full-back, refused to shake hands with Thomas Partey. The Tottenham player kept his hands in his jacket pockets while the defensive midfielder attempted to greet him. Spence was the only English player who rejected greeting Partey, who played for Arsenal from 2020 to 2025. The 33-year-old midfielder faces seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault, related to allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. The trial is scheduled for next year. Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal, was denied entry into Canada due to the legal proceedings he faces in the UK and did not represent Ghana in the first round against Panama, a match held in Toronto.
Read more in Premier League news. and related tags: Greet Thomas Partey, World Cup.