An England national team player refused to shake hands with a former Arsenal player
England national team defender Jed Spence boycotted the traditional pre-match handshake with Ghana national team midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of their 2026 World Cup group stage match.
The reason for this decision was the high-profile criminal scandal surrounding the former captain of London’s Arsenal, who is accused of numerous sexual offenses.
The match itself ended in a scoreless 0-0 draw, making it one of the least exciting games of this World Cup.
Tensions surrounding the match between the two national teams began to build even before the opening whistle due to Partey’s inclusion in the Black Stars’ starting lineup.
The midfielder missed his team’s previous match against Panama because authorities did not allow him to enter Canada.
In English soccer circles, the former Arsenal player has sparked serious outrage due to ongoing legal proceedings against him.
The Ghanaian athlete currently faces seven official charges of rape, which have caused a stir in the United Kingdom.
The player himself categorically denies any wrongdoing, but court hearings in this case are not scheduled until 2027.
Amid the scandal, the English Football Association has officially allowed its players to decide for themselves whether to greet Partey on the field.
In the end, the only member of the “Three Lions” who openly took a stand and ignored the Ghanaian during the pre-match line-up was Jed Spence.
British journalists note that the defender’s stance is entirely expected. At the club level, Spence plays for Tottenham—a long-standing and historic rival of London’s Arsenal, where Partey previously played.
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