Before England's World Cup group match against Ghana in Boston, Spurs full‑back Djed Spence was seen on social media deliberately avoiding a handshake with former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. All other England players exchanged greetings, making Spence's brief non‑contact stand out and prompting a torrent of online debate about respect and protocol.

Partey missed Ghana's opening World Cup game in Toronto after Canadian officials denied him entry, but secured a US visa for the Boston fixture. The FA refrained from advising players on contact to avoid any perception of pre‑judging the case, a decision mirrored by officials who declined to comment on the handshake lapse.

The episode places England under a microscope as the squad seeks cohesion for the knockout stage, while Partey's pending trial looms over his international future. FA's silence on disciplinary measures leaves the matter unresolved, and the incident underscores how off‑field issues can spill onto the global stage.