England's Football Association is reportedly considering how the national team will approach the traditional pre-match handshake with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of their World Cup group-stage meeting later this month.
According to reports in England, FA officials are expected to discuss the issue before the Group L encounter between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23.
The matter has arisen because Partey is due to stand trial in the United Kingdom over allegations involving multiple women. The 32-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Under normal FIFA protocol, players from both teams shake hands before kick-off as part of the pre-match formalities.
Partey was included in Ghana's final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by coach Carlos Queiroz and featured in the Black Stars' recent 1-1 friendly draw against Wales in Cardiff.
The former Arsenal midfielder remains one of Ghana's most experienced players and is expected to play a key role during the tournament.
His selection has already attracted attention in both Ghana and England. Queiroz recently defended the decision to include Partey in his squad, arguing that it was not his place to judge an ongoing legal matter and that due process should be allowed to take its course.
The midfielder, who now plays for Villarreal, previously spent five years in England with Arsenal, where he shared a dressing room with current England internationals Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
Ghana and England are scheduled to meet in their second Group L fixture after the Black Stars open their campaign against Panama and England face Croatia in their tournament opener.
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