Thomas Partey has been branded a "traitor" by furious Ghana fans after he was seen swapping shirts with Luis Suarez after Friday's World Cup clash.
Suarez remains public enemy number one in Ghana following his infamous handball in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Uruguay and the Black Stars. The two countries met for the first time since that night on Friday afternoon, with both still standing a chance of reaching the Last 16.
Ghana again missed a penalty, before Uruguay went on to win, but South Korea's shock victory over Portugal sent the Asian side through instead of the South Americans. As players from Ghana and Uruguay lay dejected, Partey decided to swap shirts with Suarez.
That proved to be an ill-fated move from the Arsenal star, with Ghana supporters rounding on him. Some labelled him a "traitor" and a "sellout" for swapping shirts with the Uruguayan striker as they made their unhappiness clear.
"I feel this is sportsmanship but then still a betrayal," one fan wrote on social media, with another adding "This is treason man. Why is he cool with the enemy?" Some supporters even called for Partey to be dropped from the national team.
"That's a sackable offence," one wrote, with another adding: "We shouldn't call him again. He doesn't care about the nation." Others demanded that he set Suarez's shirt on fire. with one writing: "He better burn that shirt."
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While there remains a real hatred of Suarez among Ghana supporters, the team's squad this year played down the feelings around the 2010 handball. Partey himself insisted it was time to move on.
“I was very young. I was playing colts in Ashaiman. It was a game of football, everything can happen. We had the chance to score the penalty. We were unlucky the ball did not go in but I think we are going into this game well-prepared," he said ahead of Friday's game.
Despite those sentiments, it was still an emotionally-charged game, with both teams crashing out. Ghana had a strong chance of qualifying for the knockouts, but largely disappointed as they were comfortably beaten.
Partey has come under fire for his performance in the defeat, with pundit Rhulani Mokwena blasting the Arsenal midfielder. Mokwena felt Partey could have done far more to protect his team's defence.
"I'm disappointed in the lack of presence by Thomas Partey. You see Casemiro for Brazil and Busquets for Spain. The importance of a very good screen is pivotal in protecting the defensive line," he said.
"And what Thomas Partey did today, it was just too easy to face the last line of this Ghanaian side and they were extremely exposed.
You'd think that Thomas Partey with the quality and experience that he has playing for Arsenal would do a little more in terms of sitting in front of the defence and then protecting them a little bit more."
