England Debates Handshake with Thomas Partey Before Ghana Match

England’s football governing body is weighing up how players should handle the traditional pre-match handshake with Ghana’s midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of their World Cup group game in Boston on June 23. Partey, a former Arsenal player now at Villarreal, is facing trial in London on multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which date back to last year when prosecutors first brought forward allegations. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has defended his decision to include Partey in the squad. He urged observers to let the legal process run its course, saying, “When the river meets the ocean, we are going to find the truth.” Partey’s trial, originally set for November, may be pushed back to early 2027. Under his bail terms, he must notify authorities before traveling abroad, and US immigration rules require the same when entering the country.

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