England player Djed Spence refused to shake hand of Ghanaian player Thomas Partey before match

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.

An England player seemingly refused to shake hands with a Ghanaian footballer ahead of their World Cup match last night.

On Tuesday (23 June), the two nations went head-to-head at Boston Stadium, with the match ultimately resulting in a 0-0 draw.

However, before the action began, as usual, the two teams stood in a line and shook hands as a symbol of respect.

But those watching closely at home quickly noticed that England defender Djed Spence, 25, appeared to avoid shaking hands with Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, 33.

BBC Sport reports that the Football Association didn't discuss the handshakes with players before the match.

Thomas Partey, who is awaiting trial, was selected to be part of Ghana's World Cup squad (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Partey pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

He has denied all of the allegations and is scheduled to stand trial in June 2027.

Despite the ongoing trial, the former Arsenal player has been allowed to compete in the football tournament as part of Ghana’s 26-man squad.

But his appearance was met by boos from the crowd when he touched the ball, with the game also marking his first World Cup appearance this year.

This is because Partey missed Ghana’s first game in Canada as he was denied entry to the country by immigration officials.

Under Canadian law, foreign nationals can be found inadmissible ⁠even without a conviction, as reported by The Guardian.

Partey said at the time: "Things happen outside football that you cannot control. For me now, I feel OK and ready to play."

In the US, the laws are more lenient, meaning he’s had no issue getting through the border and taking part in the game, as he has not been convicted of a crime.

Djed Spence seemingly snubbed Partey, opting not to shake his hand (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

As reported by the BBC, in a statement, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said last week: "The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey.

"However, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa."

After the game, Ghana's manager, Carlos Queiroz, said: "We refuse to be part of people that try to bring dust and politics inside the game.

"We fight to keep the four lines sacred. It’s difficult sometimes, but it happens. So we have to congratulate everybody who leaves politics outside the four lines."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.