7 Times Football's Handshake Didn't Go to Plan
- Think Football Ideas
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
7 Famous Football Handshake Snubs That Shocked Fans
Football's pre-match handshake is one of the sport's oldest traditions. It is supposed to be a simple gesture of respect before ninety minutes of fierce competition, regardless of rivalries, previous meetings, or what is at stake.
Yet football has never been short of emotion. Over the years, personal feuds, controversial incidents, bitter transfers and off-field disputes have turned what should be a routine handshake into one of the most talked-about moments before kick-off.
Sometimes a hand is deliberately ignored. Sometimes it sparks confrontation. And on other occasions, the tension says far more than any words ever could.
Here are seven times football's handshake tradition became one of the biggest stories of the day
1. Luis Suárez Refused to Shake Patrice Evra's Hand
Few Premier League incidents generated as much controversy as the meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in February 2012.
Suárez had only just returned from serving an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra earlier that season. Before kick-off, everyone expected an awkward handshake.
Instead, Suárez walked straight past Evra without acknowledging him. The incident immediately overshadowed the match itself and prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to label the Liverpool striker "a disgrace", while images of the snub became some of the most replayed footage in Premier League history.
For many supporters, it remains the most infamous handshake incident English football has ever witnessed.
2. Wayne Bridge Blanking John Terry
Sometimes, football stories become much bigger than the game itself. Following allegations surrounding Terry's relationship with Bridge's former partner, the two England internationals met when Chelsea faced Manchester City in February 2010.
As captain, Terry extended his hand. Bridge never even looked at it. Instead, the Manchester City defender walked straight past his former teammate in one of the most iconic moments of Premier League history.
Years later, the image is still regularly used whenever football's greatest rivalries or awkward moments are discussed.
3. Anton Ferdinand Refused John Terry's Hand
John Terry found himself involved in another highly publicised handshake controversy just two years later. Following allegations that Terry had racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, the FA even removed the traditional pre-match handshake from the clubs' previous meeting in an attempt to reduce tensions.
When Chelsea and QPR met again in September 2012, handshakes returned. Ferdinand ignored Terry's outstretched hand entirely. He also bypassed Ashley Cole, who had publicly supported his Chelsea teammate throughout the controversy.
It became another unforgettable image from one of the Premier League's most turbulent rivalries.
4. Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte's Post-Match Handshake Exploded
Managers are supposed to set the example. Instead, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte produced one of the most dramatic post-match handshakes in Premier League history after Chelsea's fiery 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August 2022.
As the final whistle blew, both men shook hands. The problem was that Tuchel refused to let go. The pair squared up to each other, exchanged angry words and had to be separated by players and coaching staff before both managers were shown red cards.
Ironically, it was a handshake that created far more headlines than the match itself.
5. Samir Nasri and William Gallas Ignored Each Other
Not every handshake controversy comes after one explosive incident. Sometimes the relationship simply deteriorates over time.
Former Arsenal teammates Samir Nasri and William Gallas had endured a fractured relationship for years following disagreements during international duty with France and criticism contained in Gallas' autobiography.
When Tottenham faced Arsenal in 2010, there was little surprise that neither player made any attempt to shake the other's hand before kick-off. It was a quiet moment compared to others on this list, but one that perfectly reflected just how deep football grudges can run.
6. Pep Guardiola Accidentally Snubbed Cesc FÃ bregas
Unlike many of the incidents on this list, this one appears to have been entirely accidental. Following Manchester City's defeat to Chelsea in December 2016, Pep Guardiola hurried onto the pitch as emotions boiled over after the final whistle.
Cesc FÃ bregas appeared to offer Guardiola his hand, but the Manchester City manager walked straight past without noticing. The footage quickly spread online, with many believing Guardiola had deliberately ignored his former Barcelona midfielder.
Pep later explained that he simply hadn't seen FÃ bregas amid the chaos and made a point of greeting him afterwards in the dressing room. Sometimes football's biggest controversies really are just misunderstandings.
7. Djed Spence and Thomas Partey
Football's pre-match handshake once again became a talking point during England's meeting with Ghana. Television footage appeared to show England defender Djed Spence shaking hands with players on either side of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey while seemingly bypassing the former Arsenal player.
The footage quickly circulated online, with many viewers speculating that the apparent snub was connected to the off-field allegations surrounding Partey at the time.
However, neither Spence nor England commented publicly on the incident. At the same time, Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz dismissed suggestions of any issue, insisting people should avoid bringing politics or outside matters into football. No explanation was ever given by Spence.
Whether caused by fierce rivalries, personal disagreements, misunderstandings or off-field controversy, these moments remain some of the most memorable images in football history. They also serve as a reminder that, in football, even the smallest gestures can sometimes become the biggest headlines.