Ghana international and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual offence charges in a London court. The 32-year-old faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three women, with the alleged incidents occurring between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal.
What happened in court?
Partey appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, where he confirmed his name, date of birth, and entered not guilty pleas to all charges. The footballer was charged just four days after leaving Arsenal, following the expiry of his contract in June this year. His case has now entered the trial phase, with legal proceedings ongoing.
Despite the charges, Partey secured a move to La Liga side Villarreal in August. He featured in their recent Champions League clash against Tottenham in London, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute during their 1-0 defeat. Before joining Villarreal, Partey spent three years at Arsenal, having transferred from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for around £45 million ($61 million).
What has been Arsenal’s response?
Partey played 167 matches for Arsenal, scoring nine goals, and appeared 52 times last season alone. He has also earned more than 50 caps for the Ghana national team. An Arsenal spokesperson previously stated: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
The midfielder’s future now hinges on the outcome of the case, which continues to draw international attention given his high-profile career in European football.
By Yockshard Enyendi
