Djed Spence refuses Thomas Partey handshake as cameras avoid showing player on screen

Thomas Partey's extended hand was reportedly rejected by England player Djed Spence on Tuesday (23 June) evening.

All eyes were on the 33-year-old Ghanian midfielder as the greetings between both sides got underway at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Viewers watching from home didn't get to see how Thomas Tuchel's men approached the situation during the BBC's live broadcast - but those in the stands to support their teams did.

Cameras panned away from Partey when the pre-match handshakes got underway after both sides belted out their national anthems, leaving fans in the UK in the dark about how players approached the situation.

However, footage of the moment that England and Ghana aces participated in the mutual sign of respect has since been doing the rounds online, which seems to show Spence dodging Partey's handshake.

Video appears to show Partey being snubbed when he reached 25-year-old Spence, who is the first Muslim player to start for England at a men's World Cup.

It looked as though the Tottenham defender refused to extend his hand out when Ghana's vice captain - who has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault - passed him.

One person said in a post on X: "Djed Spence the only England player who refused to shake the hand of Thomas Partey."

Another wrote: "Looked as though Djed Spence didn't shake hands with Thomas Partey before kick-off here."

Spence has been brought in as left-back for tonight's game in replacement of Nico O’Reilly. LADbible has contacted Spence's representatives for comment.

Partey is back on the pitch after returning to the Black Stars’ starting eleven after he missed his team's opening game at the 2026 World Cup when he was denied entry into Canada.

He did not make the game against Panama last Wednesday (17 June) as he was not allowed to travel to Toronto due to the ongoing legal proceedings in the UK.

He has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, that allegedly took place in London between 2020 and 2022. Partey did not list this on his visa application.

Partey has maintained his innocence and told officials in the host country that he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. He is set to face trial next year.

Although it appears many England players decided to shake hands with Partey, fans of the Three Lions were less forgiving.

Those inside the Boston Stadium reported that the 33-year-old was booed and jeered as his name was read out before kick off, as well as when he was on the ball.

There was a lot of debate surrounding how England players would approach the pre-match greeting prior to the beginning of the Group L match.

Earlier this year, England boss Tuchel said that the focus of fans should be on what unfolds on the pitch, rather than players making 'political' statements.

"At some point it must be allowed for a football team that is sent to a World Cup to be a football team and not be a political statement, be a political role model," he said back in March, as per The Athletic.

"Maybe I can hide a little bit behind being not English and not talking to everything that happens in your country out of respect. And focus a little bit more on football. For some of us, it’s maybe the one chance in a lifetime and we want to make the best of it."

Partey previously played alongside England aces Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka during his time at Arsenal.