England defender Djed Spence has reportedly limited comments on his Instagram account following a wave of reactions from football fans after England’s World Cup clash against Ghana in Boston.
The Tottenham Hotspur full-back became a major talking point after appearing to avoid shaking hands with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey during the pre-match lineup ahead of the Group L encounter.
The moment quickly circulated across social media, sparking widespread debate among supporters from both nations.
Many Ghanaian fans criticised Spence’s actions, with some describing the gesture as unnecessary and disrespectful. Others accused the defender of seeking attention during an occasion that should have remained focused on football.
However, Spence also received significant support from sections of the football community, with many fans praising him for what they viewed as a personal stand on a sensitive issue.
The controversy comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Partey. The Ghana midfielder is facing multiple sexual offence charges, which he denies. The matter remains before the courts.
As discussion intensified online, users noticed that comments on Spence’s Instagram account had become restricted, limiting who could respond to his posts.
The development led to fresh debate across social media platforms, where supporters continued to argue over the incident long after the final whistle.
Some fans also incorrectly suggested that Spence had deleted or deactivated his Instagram account. However, the England international’s profile remains active.
The confusion may stem from a previous incident during his Tottenham career when he temporarily cleared his social media profile amid frustrations over limited playing time under former Spurs manager Antonio Conte.
The issue also surfaced during England’s post-match media activities. Questions regarding the handshake incident were reportedly raised, although discussion around the matter was limited due to its legal sensitivities.
Neither Spence nor the Football Association had publicly commented on the controversy at the time of writing.
While England’s meeting with Ghana produced plenty of talking points on the pitch, it is the brief moment before kick-off that continues to dominate discussion across social media, with opinions sharply divided over Spence’s actions.
