[Saba Sports News] England have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama at this World Cup, with the Three Lions set to face Ghana in their second group fixture. The Football Association (FA) is currently weighing up protocols for England players ahead of potential pre-match handshakes with Ghana midfield star Thomas Partey.
Now on the books at Villarreal, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one sexual assault last July before being hit with two further rape charges this February, yet he has still been named in Ghana’s 26-man World Cup squad and benefits from the legal presumption of innocence, having pleaded not guilty to all allegations. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka previously played alongside Partey during their Arsenal spells, and the FA has declined to comment when pressed on whether the pair would shake hands or interact with the Ghanaian midfielder.
Per his bail conditions, Partey is legally required to notify authorities of any plans to travel abroad; United States federal law also mandates he disclose relevant details upon entry into the country. His trial is due to take place at Southwark Crown Court in London, originally scheduled for November this year but now likely to be pushed back until early 2027.
In my view, pre-match handshakes are a standard FIFA tradition embodying sportsmanship. Nevertheless, when a player faces serious criminal allegations – regardless of a pending conviction – national federations get caught between moral obligations and conflicting public opinion. Should the FA step in and advise players against handshakes, it risks accusations of presuming guilt and interfering with judicial proceedings; leaving players to make their own choice, meanwhile, could lead to personal discomfort among the squad and backlash from the public.