In a shocking snub that's left the football world reeling, England's Djed Spence appears to have ignored Ghana's Thomas Partey ahead of their World Cup showdown in Boston. Footage circulating on social media shows the England defender brushing past Partey as he reached out for a pre-match handshake at Boston Stadium – a blatant disregard for sportsmanship that's left many stunned.
Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder, was met with boos from the England faithful when his name was read out over the public address system. The Ghanaian international has been embroiled in controversy due to a pending rape and sexual assault trial, with seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
Despite being aware of the pending court case, Partey was issued a visa to enter the United States by US Customs and Border Protection. The Football Association has maintained that they didn't discuss the pre-match handshake with players before the match – raising more questions than answers about Spence's actions.
The backlash against Spence has been swift and severe, with many accusing him of snubbing Partey due to his personal circumstances. The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with fans and pundits alike questioning the values of sportsmanship and respect in football.