A pre-match moment involving England defender Djed Spence and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has sparked widespread discussion after footage circulating on social media appeared to show Spence declining to take part in the traditional handshake before their World Cup Group L clash in Boston on Tuesday.
The video shows both squads lining up in the customary pre-kickoff greeting, with players moving down the line exchanging brief handshakes.
As Partey approached, Spence appeared to keep his hand in his pocket and did not visibly engage, instead moving past him. The moment was brief, partially obscured in broadcast coverage, but alternative angles shared online quickly amplified the incident and triggered debate among fans and pundits.
Neither Spence nor the Football Association addressed the moment publicly after the match, and there has been no official explanation from the England camp regarding the apparent snub. The lack of comment has only intensified scrutiny, particularly given the wider context surrounding Partey’s presence at the tournament.
The Ghana midfielder, 33, was met with a hostile reception throughout the match at Gillette Stadium. He was booed during the announcement of the starting lineups and again whenever he touched the ball in the opening stages of the Group L encounter. It marked his first appearance of the tournament after missing Ghana’s opener against Panama.
