Djed Spence declines pre-match handshake with Thomas Partey | OneFootball

Djed Spence declined to shake hands with Thomas Partey during the pre-match formalities before England’s Group L meeting with Ghana in Boston.

According to Nottingham Post, all England players except the Nottingham Forest promotion-winner exchanged handshakes with the Villarreal midfielder. Supporters jeered when Partey’s name was announced during the line-ups.

As Ghana moved along the greeting line, Spence shook hands with other opponents. When Partey approached, he withdrew his hand and placed it in his jacket pouch, then resumed greeting once Partey had passed.

Partey was refused entry to Canada for Ghana’s Group L opener against Panama, an appeal leading to a court hearing in Ottawa. He is scheduled to face trial in the UK next year, having pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents between 2020 and 2022. It is alleged his visa application did not disclose a prior arrest and charge.

Before kick-off, Declan Rice spoke positively about the 33-year-old’s ability and referenced their time together at Arsenal. At Ghana’s Rhode Island base at Bryant University on Monday, Partey said the visa setback was part of football and that he felt ready to play, adding the squad had prepared well and aimed to compete.

Partey’s contract with Villarreal is due to expire this summer and is unlikely to be renewed. He made 32 appearances in all competitions last season without scoring after leaving Arsenal the previous summer.

Source: Nottingham Post