Partey Controversy Overshadows World Cup Match
Pre-Match Handshake Incident
Footage circulating on social media shows England full-back Djed Spence appearing not to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before their World Cup match in Boston. This occurred amidst boos from the crowd at Boston Stadium as Partey’s name was announced over the public address system before the Group L match. His touches of the ball during the game were also met with jeers from the spectators.
The Football Association did not discuss the pre-match handshake with players before the match. Reports indicate that the FA intended to allow England’s players to decide whether they wished to participate in the ritual with Partey. Among the England squad are two of Partey’s former clubmates, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
Partey’s Availability and Legal Situation
Partey missed Ghana’s initial World Cup game against Panama in Toronto. His absence from that match was due to Canadian officials denying him entry into the country. He had told officials he had never been arrested or charged with a crime, which was later found to be inconsistent with his legal situation.
The midfielder was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa, despite a pending court case. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed their awareness of the court case but noted that Partey had not been convicted of a crime at the time of his admission. Partey is scheduled to stand trial. He has denied all charges related to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022, and his lawyer has stated that he welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.
Ghana’s team head coach, Carlos Queiroz, maintained that Partey should be considered innocent until proven guilty. He stated, “Let events run their normal course, let the river flow and one day, when the river meets the ocean, we will find the truth.”
Controversy Surrounding Visa Denial
Partey’s visa denial in Canada stemmed from his application where he answered “No” to questions regarding previous arrests, charges, or convictions for criminal offences in any country. This response was made despite his ongoing high-profile legal case. The Ghanaian FA challenged the visa denial in court, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
The incident led to a political discussion in Ghana, with some critics questioning the Ghanaian FA’s handling of the situation. A politician with the opposition New Patriotic party in Ghana, Fiifi Boafo, stated on Facebook that there had been “lies and inaccurate information” regarding Partey’s entry denial into Canada. Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, a senior fellow at the University of Ghana, described the situation as an “amateur hour” at the GFA on TV3 Ghana, suggesting accountability was needed.
The Ghanaian FA defended its actions, stating its role was to support visa applications for its delegation members and that it had worked with the player, his legal representatives, Fifa, and Canadian authorities. They maintained that the court did not find fault or misconduct on their part and that they acted diligently and in good faith. While Partey was at the team’s training base at Bryant University in Rhode Island, his teammates played against Panama.
Partey, who played for Villarreal this season and was formerly with Arsenal, had stated before Tuesday’s match that he felt “ready to play” against England.
Other Players at the World Cup Facing Allegations
Partey is not the only player participating in the World Cup who has faced allegations of sexual assault. Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano was arrested for gang-rape allegations. Charges were later dropped after Sano reportedly apologised to the complainant and made a payment. Sano subsequently issued a statement expressing regret for his actions before rejoining the national team.
Additionally, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi is scheduled to face trial for an alleged rape in 2023, which he denies. A French court confirmed he would face trial as he prepared to play against Scotland. Hakimi, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, stated on X that he had been “waiting for this trial since day one” and would “at last, be able to speak.” A trial date has not yet been announced for Hakimi.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
