Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail this week after appearing in a London court on serious criminal charges. The 32-year-old Ghanaian international faces five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third, with the alleged offenses taking place between 2021 and 2022 while he was still contracted with the Premier League club.
What are the bail terms for Thomas Partey?
Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing a black zip-neck jumper, standing silently with his arms behind his back. The court did not require him to enter any pleas during this appearance. He showed no visible reaction as the charges were read out.
His bail conditions prohibit contact with the three women involved in the case. He must also inform authorities of any changes to his permanent address or any international travel. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring confirmed during the hearing, “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and is playing in Spain now,” referring to reports linking Partey with a move to La Liga side Villarreal.
Partey is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2 for further legal proceedings.
How has the Arsenal community responded?
Outside the courtroom, Honor Barber, a spokesperson for Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, voiced strong criticism of the club’s handling of the situation. “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,” she said.
Barber added that the group protested outside nearly every Arsenal home game last season to “disrupt the wall of silence that the club has put up around this issue.” She called on Arsenal to release its sexual violence policies, suspend any player under investigation, and offer real support to survivors.
Police in the UK first received a rape allegation against Partey in February 2022. He was officially charged on July 4, just four days after his Arsenal contract expired at the end of June.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million and played 167 matches for the club, scoring nine goals. He has also earned 51 caps for Ghana. Arsenal has declined to comment on the case due to ongoing legal proceedings.
By Yockshard Enyendi