Djed Spence became one of the major talking points before England’s World Cup clash with Ghana after he appeared to avoid shaking hands with Thomas Partey during the pre-match ceremony.
The incident happened shortly before kick-off, as players from both teams exchanged greetings after the national anthems. While most of the England players appeared to shake hands with the Ghana midfielder, Spence seemed to keep his hand away as Partey walked past him.
The moment quickly attracted attention on social media, with many fans sharing clips and discussing what may have happened. Although Spence has not publicly explained the gesture, the incident came amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Partey.
Partey, who started for Ghana in the Group L fixture, was also booed by sections of the England supporters whenever he touched the ball. The Ghana midfielder has denied the serious charges he is facing in the UK and is expected to defend himself in court.
On the pitch, the game ended in a goalless draw, with Ghana frustrating England through a disciplined and compact defensive performance. The Black Stars made it difficult for England’s attackers to find space, forcing the tournament favourites to settle for a point.
However, despite the tactical battle, the pre-match moment between Spence and Partey became one of the biggest stories from the match. For many fans, it added another layer of tension to an already highly watched World Cup fixture.
England and Ghana both remain in contention to progress from the group, but the handshake incident is likely to continue generating debate beyond the final whistle.
