Djed Spence appeared to be the only England player not to shake Thomas Partey's hand before the World Cup game against Ghana in Boston. There had been doubts over whether Thomas Tuchel's squad would snub the former Arsenal midfielder in the pre-match ritual.
Footage shows apparent snub
Television coverage cut away at the crucial moment but footage appeared to show Spence kept his hand in the right pocket of his tracksuit top when Partey, whose contract at Villarreal expires next week, walked past. That seemed to surprise Partey, who briefly glanced back towards the Tottenham player before carrying on.
Partey's legal situation
Partey is scheduled to go on trial next year at Southwark crown court after he was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year. He was later charged with two further counts of rape. Partey has denied all the charges, with his lawyer insisting that he welcomes the chance to clear his name.
Partey missed Ghana's first World Cup game
Partey missed Ghana's first game of the World Cup, against Panama in Toronto, after he was denied entry to Canada by immigration officials. A judge rejected Partey's appeal.
Coaches' responses
Post-match the England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, was stopped from answering a question on the issue, with a spokesperson citing “legal reasons”. But his Ghana counterpart, Carlos Queiroz, did respond. “We refuse to be part of people that try to bring dust and politics inside the game,” he said. “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.”
