England national team defender Djed Spence (25) was captured in a moment that appeared to show him avoiding a pre-match handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey (33), who is currently facing sexual assault charges.

The Associated Press reported today (June 24) that the incident occurred during the pre-match handshake line before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L match between England and Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

In a video circulating on social media, Spence is seen shaking hands with the players before and after Partey, but appears to keep his hand in his pocket as he passes the Ghanaian midfielder.

Partey is facing allegations of sexual assault and rape involving four women between 2020 and 2025.

Partey is scheduled to stand trial in London, UK, after this coming November and has vehemently denied all allegations.

Regarding these charges, Canada previously denied a visa application for Partey, which prevented him from participating in Ghana's opening group stage match against Panama.

The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed to the Canadian Federal Court, citing the presumption of innocence, but the appeal was dismissed, ultimately ruling Partey out of the match against Panama.

However, he was granted entry into the United States and started in today's match against England.

Throughout the match, Partey was met with boos from the crowd every time he touched the ball.

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz denied the controversy surrounding the handshake after the match.

"That did not happen," he said. "We will not join those who try to bring political controversy into football. Football must be protected inside the stadium."

Meanwhile, Spence suffered a broken jaw during an English Premier League match last month and is wearing a protective facial mask that resembles Robocop for this World Cup.

"I play football with my feet, not my jaw," he said, expressing his ambition for his first-ever World Cup appearance.

(Photo: Instagram capture, Yonhap News)