England players are expected to shake hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey before Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Group L meeting between the two sides.
The gesture is anticipated to take place following the national anthems in Boston, despite the wider attention surrounding the midfielder’s situation ahead of the match.
Partey was absent from Ghana’s opening Group L fixture against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry into Canada. The decision came as he faces multiple legal charges in the United Kingdom, including allegations of rape and sexual assault.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who spent five years at the Emirates Stadium, is well known to several members of the England squad. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both played alongside him at club level and are among those likely to encounter him on the pitch.
The Football Association has not adopted a fixed position regarding Partey’s involvement in pre-match formalities such as handshakes. It is understood that no specific instructions will be issued to England players ahead of the fixture.
As a result, England players are expected to follow customary protocol and greet the Ghana international before kick-off.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has previously emphasised the importance of allowing the England camp to concentrate on football during the tournament.
He said that England have the best chance of doing well at the World Cup if they allow Thomas Tuchel and his players to “focus on football”.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has also spoken about the importance of separating football from wider issues surrounding the game.
He said: “At some point it must be allowed for a football team that is sent to a World Cup to be a football team and not be a political statement, be a political role model.”
Tuchel added that he is conscious of the pressures and expectations placed on those involved in international football, and suggested that his perspective is shaped by not being English.
On avoiding external distractions, he said: “Maybe I can hide a little bit behind being not English and not talking to everything that happens in your country out of respect. And focus a little bit more on football. For some of us, it’s maybe the one chance in a lifetime and we want to make the best of it.”
Partey’s legal situation has been ongoing since last year, when he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has since been charged with two additional counts of rape this February.
He has denied all charges and entered a not guilty plea. The case is not expected to go to trial until January 2027.
His absence from Ghana’s opening match in Canada came after immigration authorities refused him entry, despite reports that he had previously been allowed into the United States, including for pre-tournament camps in Washington.
The decision was described as unexpected given his earlier travel into the country.
Speaking in February, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said: “Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated fully with the police throughout. Given that legal proceedings are ongoing, there will be no further comment.”
As England and Ghana prepare to meet in a key Group L fixture, the focus remains on the pitch, though the pre-match formalities are set to draw additional attention given Partey’s presence in the Ghana squad.
