Thomas Partey, the Ghana midfielder, was booed by England fans during the World Cup match at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The former Arsenal player was jeered when his name was announced on the team-sheet before kick-off and whenever he touched the ball during the game.
Spence Refuses Handshake
England defender Djed Spence chose not to shake hands with Partey as the two teams lined up before the match. Partey, 33, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by the Metropolitan Police, and two additional rape charges were filed in February this year.
Visa Issues and Missed Match
Partey missed Ghana's opening win over Panama after being denied entry into Canada. He had applied for a visa but made a false claim to Canadian officials. When asked if he had ever been charged for any criminal offence, Partey answered 'no' and checked a box confirming his answers were truthful. The charges relate to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
After being prevented from entering Canada, Partey appealed the decision, but it was rejected at a federal court. The ruling noted that Partey had failed to disclose the multiple charges against him. He remained at Ghana's Rhode Island base while his teammates traveled to Canada but started against England.
Legal Proceedings
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated: "Canada is proud to be a host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is working to facilitate a successful event while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians. Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws."
Partey has appeared twice in the UK since being charged. He played during a 1-0 defeat for Villarreal at Tottenham in September and featured in a 1-1 draw with Wales in Cardiff earlier this month. His trial is scheduled for June next year, with a hearing set for October 2.
