FA to decide on England’s handshake with Partey at World Cup
The FA is evaluating how England’s squad should conduct the pre-match handshake with former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey during their World Cup match against Ghana in Boston on June 23, reports BritPanorama.
Partey is included in Ghana’s 26-man squad and is set to appear despite facing trial in the UK on seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, to which he has entered not guilty pleas. England’s governing body is working to determine how players will navigate the customary greeting before kick-off.
The midfielder was initially charged in July 2024 and subsequently faced additional charges in February 2025. The 31-year-old has consistently denied all allegations against him.
Partey, who left Arsenal when his contract expired last year, has joined Villarreal in Spain. His trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, originally scheduled for November 2025, may now be postponed until early 2027.
As part of his bail conditions, Partey must notify authorities before travelling abroad, and US federal law mandates that he declare this information when entering the country. Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has defended his decision to include Partey, stating, “If the player is here with me, my answer is clear. I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here so what are we talking about?”
Queiroz, who has significant coaching experience, remarked on the necessity of allowing the legal process to unfold, encouraging patience from observers. “This is not for me or you to make a judgement about,” he said. “Let the events run their normal course; let the river flow, and one day, when the river meets the ocean, we are going to find the truth.”
While the focus remains on sporting events, priorities behind the scenes highlight the broader impact of off-field issues, illustrating how the nexus of sports and legal matters can create a complex landscape for athletes and teams alike.
