The FA has left England players to decide individually whether to shake hands with Thomas Partey before England’s World Cup match against Ghana.
The decision means there will be no squad-wide instruction before a potentially sensitive pre-match moment involving the former Arsenal midfielder.
Partey faces charges, denies wrongdoing, and the legal process remains ongoing. For England, the issue is being handled as a personal choice for each player rather than a collective stance imposed by the FA.
That matters to an Arsenal audience because Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, both former teammates of Partey in north London, are among the England players connected to the story.
Any handshake line before kick-off could place them in a visible situation.
Why The Handshake Call Has Been Left To Individuals
The FA’s approach avoids forcing players into one public response.
A handshake can look routine, but in this context it may be interpreted as symbolic by supporters, broadcasters and social media audiences.
The key point is that the FA is not directing them either way.
ReadArsenal has also been following England’s Arsenal-related fitness picture, including Declan Rice’s hamstring pain admission before the Ghana match.
There is also a dressing-room management angle.
International teams include players with different personal relationships, club histories and comfort levels. Leaving the call to individuals recognises that Saka, Rice and others may view the moment differently.
For supporters, the safest reading is simple: a handshake, or the absence of one, should not be treated as a legal judgement.
Partey remains subject to an ongoing legal process and has denied wrongdoing.
England’s focus will be the football against Ghana, but this pre-match detail is likely to draw attention.
The next step is to watch how the teams handle the line-up ceremony without over-reading individual choices.
