England full-back Djed Spence appears to have refused to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup group stage match in Boston.
Footage circulating on social media shows the apparent snub taking place during the pre-match handshake routine ahead of the Group L fixture.
Partey was booed loudly by England supporters as he made his first appearance at this year’s World Cup, having missed Ghana’s opening tournament game.
The 33-year-old was denied entry into Canada after telling officials he had never been arrested nor charged with a crime, causing him to miss Ghana’s 1-0 win against Panama in Toronto.
Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
He is scheduled to stand trial next year, and the high-profile nature of the case has followed him throughout Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
BBC Sport understands the Football Association did not discuss the pre-match handshake with England players ahead of the match in Boston.
The Villarreal and former Arsenal midfielder was booed as his name was read out over the public address system before kick-off, with his touches of the ball regularly met with jeers from the crowd.
Partey had said before Tuesday’s match that he felt “ready to play” against England, suggesting he was focused on football despite the intense scrutiny surrounding him.
US Customs and Border Protection issued a statement last week explaining his entry into the United States, saying: “The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey.”
The statement continued: “However, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.”
The match itself ended in a draw, with England frustrated by Ghana throughout what proved to be a difficult Group L encounter at Boston Stadium.
