Thomas Partey in spotlight as he faces England and former Arsenal teammates after rape charges

T he Football Association has remained coy over what will happen when England line up for their next World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday and come up against a familiar opponent in Thomas Partey. The former Arsenal midfielder played for Villarreal this season, but will be released at the end of his contract this month. In the pre-match ceremony, all players are expected to shake hands with opponents, and the FA will leave England’s players to decide whether they wish to go through the ritual with Partey. The squad includes two of his former club-mates, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. For some, a handshake will seem uncomfortable. Partey is scheduled to go on trial next year at Southwark crown court after he was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year. He was later charged with two further counts of rape. Partey has denied all the charges, with his lawyer insisting that he welcomes the chance to clear his name. He missed Ghana’s opening World Cup game against Panama on Thursday, but that was not because of any qualms on behalf of the Ghanaian FA in selecting him. The team coach, Carlos Queiroz, a former assistant of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, has maintained his player should be regarded as innocent unless proven guilty. “Let events run their normal course, let the river flow and one day, when the river meets the ocean, we will find the truth,” he has said. …