Pre-match interaction in Boston
During the pre-match ceremony for the World Cup match between England and Ghana in Boston, footage circulated on social media showing England full-back Djed Spence appearing not to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey. This occurred before their Group L fixture.
Thomas Partey, who plays for Villarreal and is a former Arsenal midfielder, was met with boos from the crowd at Boston Stadium when his name was announced. Throughout the match, his touches of the ball were also met with jeers from the spectators.
The Football Association did not discuss the pre-match handshake with players before the match, according to reports. Before the game, Partey stated he felt “ready to play” against England.
Partey’s World Cup participation
Partey made his first appearance at this year’s World Cup against England, having missed Ghana‘s initial game in the tournament. His absence from Ghana‘s opening match against Panama in Toronto was due to Canadian officials denying him entry into the country.
Canadian officials refused Partey entry after he informed them he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. This statement was made despite him being scheduled to stand trial next year on charges related to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The midfielder was allowed to play against England in Boston because the United States granted him a visa. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that while they are aware of the pending court case for Mr. Partey, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa. Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
The decision to deny Partey entry into Canada sparked a political discussion in Ghana. The country’s ministry of foreign affairs condemned the decision, calling it “high-handed and extremely unfair.” When the Ghana FA challenged the visa denial in court, it was revealed that Partey had provided incorrect information in his visa application, stating he had not committed, been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any criminal offense.
Context of the charges
Partey faces charges of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. He is scheduled to go on trial next year. His lawyer has stated that he welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed in July 2025 that Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to three separate women who reported incidents between 2021 and 2022. In February 2026, the CPS added two further counts of rape against another woman concerning offenses in 2020 after a new investigation.
Despite these legal proceedings, Partey has continued to play club football at a high level, representing Villarreal in Spain‘s top flight and the Champions League. His contract with Arsenal expired three days before the CPS publicized the case.
The Ghanaian FA maintained its support for Partey, stating that its role in the visa application had been “mischaracterised” and that it acted diligently and professionally. Ghana secured a 1-0 victory against Panama with a 95th-minute goal from Caleb Yirenkyi.
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Source: bbc.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”