Djed Spence: Ghanaians Fume After Tottenham Star Snubs Partey During Handshakes
- Djed Spence avoided Thomas Partey's handshake before Ghana's World Cup clash against England on June 23, 2026
- The viral incident has drawn fierce reactions from Black Stars fans online, with many calling out the English defender
- Spence's decision is believed to be linked to Partey's ongoing legal trial in the UK over multiple sexual assault allegations
English defender Djed Spence sparked outrage among Ghanaians after he visibly avoided Thomas Partey's handshake during the pre-match lineup of the two countries' World Cup group-stage game on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
The moment was captured and shared online, where it quickly went viral due to the high stakes clash and global setting.
Source: Getty Images
Ghanaians flooded Spence's Instagram and TikTok accounts to express their displeasure, with many accusing the right-back of deliberately disrespecting the Black Stars midfielder.
Why Spence snubbed Partey at World Cup
The snub did not come entirely out of nowhere.
In the lead-up to the World Cup fixture, the England Football Association had publicly acknowledged it was considering whether its players should participate in the traditional pre-match handshake with Partey, given that he is currently standing trial in the United Kingdom on multiple charges.
While the FA's deliberations were widely reported, Spence appears to have made a personal decision to act on it, making him the most visible face of the controversy after the match kicked off.
For many Ghanaians, the gesture felt like a direct insult to the country's most prominent football figure, and they wasted no time letting the defender know it.
Partey’s alleged offences are said to date back to between April 2020 and June 2022, during his time as an Arsenal player.
He was charged shortly after his contract with the London club expired in July 2025.
The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2020 in a £45million move from Atletico Madrid after enjoying success in the Spanish top tier.
Source: Getty Images
Spence's snubbing of Partey sparks online heat
The intensity of the backlash reflects just how deeply personal the moment felt to Ghanaian fans, many of whom view any slight against Partey as an affront to the entire nation.
Regardless of his off-field legal battles, to supporters of the Black Stars, the midfielder remains a symbol of Ghanaian pride on the global stage.
Spence's snub, whether calculated or impulsive, has ensured that his name will be remembered long after the final whistle of this World Cup matchup.
Below is the Facebook post by Ameyaw Debrah showing Ghanaians' reactions to Djed Spence:
Ghanaians slam Spence over Partey handshake snub
Comments on Djed Spence’s Instagram and TikTok pages were swift and unsparing.
Ghanaian fans, in particular, were unapologetic in their criticism, with many using local expressions to convey their frustration and disapproval.
YEN.com.gh has compiled some of the reactions below:
travelsagencyy wrote:
"Aboa ba."
ybn_gad._ noted:
"Partly literally clears your whole career lol."
joekoffa wrote:
"This was unnecessary."
Telvin Sowah's prophecy about Benjamin Asare
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Telvin Sowah Adjei, founder and leader of Prophetic Life Embassy, had made headlines after the Ghana vs England showdown at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a resurfaced video, the Ghanaian clergyman urged the country's Football Association to avoid interfering with the goalkeeper, claiming that he was the best person for the job in the spiritual realm.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
