The match between England and Ghana, valid for the group stage of the World Cup, will focus attention on midfielder Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian player faces charges of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom and, after being refused entry to Canada for the opening game, will make his debut in the championship against the nation where the investigations are taking place.
Within England, the main debate revolves around how the athletes of the British national team will act in compliance with Partey during the FIFA protocol, which precedes the start of the match scheduled for this Tuesday, in Boston.
As reported by the British newspaper Telegraph, the English Football Association (FA) has not established a clear position and does not plan to guide its players on exchanging handshakes.
Another English outlet, The Guardian, adds that the FA will delegate to each member of the team the freedom to decide whether or not to salute the Ghanaian midfielder.
Despite the autonomy granted, the expectation reported by the two newspapers is that English footballers will greet Thomas Partey during the pre-match ceremony organized by FIFA, an outcome that would minimize public tensions and maintain the sporting focus.
The clash will also be a reunion for Partey with former Arsenal team-mates such as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. The Ghanaian played five seasons for the English team before his transfer to Villarreal, in Spain, in August last year, a move that occurred following the accusations.
Thomas Partey did not participate in Ghana’s first round of the championship, when the team beat Panama 1-0, due to his entry being banned in Canada. FIFA confirmed that this restriction was directly linked to the legal process that the player faces in the United Kingdom.
The midfielder’s participation in the game against England intensifies the visibility of the case throughout the competition, especially considering the involvement of British authorities in the context of allegations of rape and sexual assault against him.
Partey maintains his declaration of innocence, with his defense stating that he “continues to deny all charges” and that he has cooperated with police investigations. The expectation is that the trial will only take place in January 2027.
England coach Thomas Tuchel preferred not to elaborate on the subject, emphasizing the need to concentrate on competing in the tournament. He declared that “at some point it must be allowed that a team sent to a World Cup is just a football team, and not a political statement.”
Details about the charges against Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey received five charges from two women for crimes that allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2022, a time when he played for Arsenal, in England. The previous year, a third woman also accused him of sexual assault, and the player is banned from having contact with the alleged victim.
Earlier this year, two other women came forward with similar allegations against him. In February, the player pleaded not guilty to English justice. Partey was arrested in 2025, but was released on bail, with the condition that he not approach the women who accused him and that he notify the court of any changes of address or international travel.