England’s Djed Spence appeared to avoid shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey ahead of Tuesday’s Group L clash in Foxborough.
While the rest of his English teammates offered Partey a handshake or fistbump, Spurs fullback Spence seemingly made no attempt.
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Partey is facing seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault in Britain relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He denies the allegations.
The 33-year-old was booed by the England fans in attendance whenever he touched the ball during the match, which ended as a 0-0 draw.
Last week, Partey missed Ghana’s opening World Cup game in Toronto because Canadian authorities denied him entry to the country.
He currently plays for Villarreal in Spain.
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GRIEVING FRENCH COACH TO MISS FINAL GROUP MATCH
France coach Didier Deschamps is to return home after his mother died and will miss his team’s final World Cup group match against Norway, the French Football Federation announced Tuesday.
“Didier Deschamps will not be able to be on the bench on Friday for the final Group I game,” said the federation in a statement.
“The coach had the painful experience this morning of learning of the death of his mother. He will return to France to attend the funeral.”
In Deschamps’ absence, his assistant Guy Stephan will take charge of the squad until the 57-year-old’s return.
Having already qualified for the last 32 following a 3-1 victory over Senegal and a 3-0 win against Iraq, France will be aiming to top their group when they face Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
It is Deschamps’ final tournament in charge of France.
During his 14-year reign, France won the 2018 World Cup, but lost in both the 2022 World Cup final – on penalties to Argentina – and to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
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TRUMP TO PRESENT TROPHY
US President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19 and present the trophy to the winners, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Tuesday.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino told Fox and Friends.
Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, awarding him with a newly created FIFA peace prize at the World Cup draw in Washington last year.
The decision to present the trophy jointly follows the controversy surrounding the presentation of the Club World Cup to English club Chelsea after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey last year.
Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, but then failed to leave the stage meaning he initially took part in the team’s celebrations alongside bemused players.