Tag: Thomas Partey

Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey on Wednesday appeared in a London court and pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women.

Partey, a Ghana international, is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, plus a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022.

The alleged offences took place when Partey played for Premier League soccer club Arsenal. He left the club this summer and signed for Spain’s Villarreal.

The 32-year-old appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and enter his not guilty pleas.

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Partey was released on bail ahead of his trial, which was listed for Nov. 2, 2026 and is due to take between six and eight weeks.

He was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59.2 million) in 2020 and became a key member of the English side’s first team, before his contract expired at the end of June.

Partey played for Villarreal in their Champions League game against Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

He came on as a second-half substitute and was booed loudly by the Spurs fans every time he touched the ball.

Villarreal have signed Ghana international Thomas Partey on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Arsenal,  according to  the LaLiga club.

The 32-year-old defensive midfielder has agreed a season-long deal and will join the Villarreal squad in training on Friday.

Partey was charged last month with raping two women while he was a player for the Premier League club. He is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, plus a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022.

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“The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player vehemently defends his innocence and denies all charges against him,” Villarreal said in a statement.

“The club respects his presumption of innocence as a fundamental principle and is awaiting the verdict of the courts, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case. In accordance with British law regarding ongoing proceedings, the club will not comment further on this matter.”

Partey made 167 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

Villarreal, who beat Arsenal 3-2 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, begin their LaLiga campaign at home to promoted Real Oviedo on August 16.

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail on Tuesday after appearing in a London court on rape and sexual assault charges.

The 32-year-old Ghana international has been charged with five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman.

The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player.

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Partey was charged on July 4, four days after leaving the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June.

The midfielder stood with his arms behind his back in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, wearing a black zip-neck jumper.

The footballer showed no reaction as the charges were read out and was not asked to enter any pleas.

Partey’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously said Partey “denies all the charges against him”, adding he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.

Under his bail conditions he cannot contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.

Reports in recent days have linked Partey with a move to La Liga club Villarreal.

As bail conditions were discussed in court, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”

Partey is due to appear at London’s Old Bailey court on September 2.

A spokesperson for Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence said the group was “profoundly disappointed” in the London club over their handling of the matter.

Speaking outside court, Honor Barber told the PA news agency: “We never wanted to be in a situation where the club that we love and the club that has values that we believe in was playing, week-in, week-out, a player who is now facing court appearances on six counts of sexual violence.

 “We protested outside almost every home game last season because we wanted to disrupt the wall of silence that the club has put up around this issue.”

Barber said the group wanted the club to publish their sexual violence policies, “suspend anyone under investigation for sexual offences” and “properly support the survivors”.

British police said they first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.

Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.

He appeared 52 times for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals. Overall he played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times.

Partey has also made 51 appearances for Ghana.

An Arsenal spokesman previously said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”