SPENCE SNUBS PARTEY: Handshake controversy overshadows Ghana vs England World Cup clash
The BBC has addressed its decision to cut away from broadcasting the pre-match handshakes between Ghana and England, amidst reports that England defender Djed Spence refused to shake hands with Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey.
The incident occurred ahead of Tuesday evening’s crucial Group L fixture in Boston. Partey, who was recently denied entry into Canada for Ghana’s opening match against Panama in Toronto, returned to the starting lineup for the clash against England.
The handshake controversy and BBC’s explanation
Pre-match discussions heavily centered on how the England squad would react to the former Arsenal midfielder. The Football Association (FA) had reportedly informed England players that they could make their own personal decisions regarding the pre-match handshake with Partey, who is currently awaiting trial in London after being charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
As the pre-match handshakes commenced, the official broadcast feed abruptly cut away, failing to show Partey’s interactions with the English players. However, fan footage circulating on social media and eyewitness accounts from journalists quickly filled the vacuum, revealing that Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence appeared to be the only player to pull his hand away, snubbing the Ghanaian midfielder.
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During the half-time broadcast, BBC presenter Gabby Logan addressed the incident directly, confirming the broadcast cutaway and the reports surrounding Spence.
“One news line. The cameras cut away before the handshakes, but it’s being reported Djed Spence did not shake hands with Thomas Partey pre-match,” Logan explained.
“Partey was refused a visa for the opening game in Canada, of course. He’s been charged with seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He’s denied the charges and is scheduled to go on trial next year.”
Partey’s defense lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has maintained that her client “continues to deny all charges against him.”
While the midfielder was granted a visa to enter and play in the United States, Ghana faces a potential administrative nightmare moving forward in the tournament. Should the Black Stars qualify for the Round of 32 as runners-up in their group, they will be scheduled to play in Toronto—a city Partey remains legally barred from entering following a failed visa appeal.
The Canadian government’s decision, which FIFA stated it had no jurisdiction over, has been fiercely criticized by Ghanaian football officials, who branded the move “extremely unfair.”
Carlos Queiroz defends selection
When questioned about the ongoing controversy and the decision to start the midfielder despite the heavy media scrutiny, Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz stood firmly by his player, invoking the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
“If the player is here with me, my answer is clear,” Queiroz stated defensively. “I don’t have any comments about my own decisions. He is here, so what are we talking about? This is not for me or you to make a judgement about.”
The veteran manager added: “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.”
Partey’s reaction when asked
In his post-match press conference, England manager Thomas Tuchel was asked about Spence’s decision by Daily Mail reporter Mike Keegan, but an FA official intervened to state that Tuchel could not comment on the matter for legal reasons.
Ghana captain Jordan Ayew, meanwhile, was also pressed on the same topic, with the Leicester forward – who will be a free agent from June 30 – deciding to walk away rather than address it.
And centre-back Jerome Opoku replied ‘no comment’ when asked about the matter, adding: “I didn’t really see it.”
Partey was also asked about Spence’s handshake snub by a BBC journalist when he walked past the mixed zone after full-time.
The midfielder initially walked past the reporter without answering the question, before he turned around to engage in a brief conversation with another journalist that was in the mixed zone.
He then looked back towards the BBC reporter for a number of seconds but, when the question was repeated, did not provide an answer.
