England’s players will reportedly be allowed to decide for themselves whether to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Group L match in Boston.
The issue has attracted attention ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between the Black Stars and the Three Lions, with Partey expected to return to Ghana’s squad after missing the team’s opening game against Panama.
According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, the Football Association (FA) will not instruct players on whether to take part in the traditional pre-match handshake with the former Arsenal midfielder, who is facing criminal charges in England and has denied all allegations against him.
The report added that the FA wants to keep the focus firmly on football and leave the decision entirely up to individual players.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly avoided commenting on Thomas Partey’s legal situation, choosing instead to keep his focus firmly on England’s preparations for the crucial World Cup clash with Ghana. As a result, there have reportedly been no formal conversations within the England camp about the matter.
The situation is expected to draw even greater interest because several members of the England squad, including Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, previously played alongside Partey during his time at Arsenal.
Partey is expected to make his first appearance of the tournament after being unavailable for Ghana’s dramatic 1-0 win over Panama.
The midfielder was unable to travel to Canada for the opening fixture after immigration authorities reportedly denied him entry into the country.
Reports indicate that Canadian officials rejected an appeal after it emerged during a hearing that information relating to the charges he faces in the United Kingdom had not been disclosed in his visa application.
Ghana were forced to begin their World Cup campaign without deputy captain Thomas Partey, one of the team’s most experienced and influential players.
Despite the setback, the Black Stars secured all three points thanks to a stoppage-time winner from 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi.
Following the incident, Ghanaian authorities, including Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that efforts were made through diplomatic channels to seek a review of Canada’s decision. Those efforts, however, were unsuccessful.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Partey is scheduled to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court in London on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. According to UK media reports, proceedings are expected to begin on June 7 next year.
The allegations date back to 2022, when the midfielder was first arrested. He has consistently denied all allegations and maintains his innocence.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Partey continued playing for Arsenal until his contract expired at the end of the 2024-25 season before completing a move to Spanish club Villarreal.
The case has generated significant attention in both Ghana and the United Kingdom, largely because of Partey’s status as one of the Black Stars’ most influential players.
Focus Turns to a Crucial Group L Encounter
For Ghana, the immediate priority remains the World Cup.
The Black Stars head into Tuesday’s encounter with confidence following their opening victory over Panama. The expected return of Partey could provide a major boost as Ghana prepare to face an England side widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites.
While the off-field issues surrounding the midfielder continue to dominate headlines, both teams will ultimately be focused on securing a positive result in a match that could have a major impact on the outcome of Group L.
With a place in the knockout stages potentially on the line, attention is likely to shift quickly to the action on the pitch once the game gets underway.
