Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court, appearing in the dock less than 24 hours after playing in a Champions League match at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian international, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before entering his pleas to charges relating to three women. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between April 2021 and June 2022, whilst Partey was an Arsenal player.
Partey appeared at court on Wednesday morning having been introduced as a substitute to loud boos during Villarreal’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham the previous evening. The midfielder entered the match with 12 minutes remaining, marking his first appearance on English soil since being charged in July.
Serious Allegations Spanning Two Years
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges comprising two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape relating to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault against a third woman. All alleged incidents occurred in the United Kingdom whilst Partey played for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service London North, said in July: “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape after carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence.”
The charges were filed just four days after Partey’s £45 million (€53m) contract with Arsenal expired on 30 June, following five seasons at the north London club. He had made 35 appearances during his final campaign, scoring four goals.
Three-Year Investigation Led to Charges
The Metropolitan Police first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022, launching an investigation that would span more than three years. Partey was initially arrested in July 2022, though he was not publicly named at the time and continued playing for Arsenal throughout the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team led the investigation, stated: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward. We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team.”
Police submitted an initial file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service in December 2024, followed by an updated file in April 2025. The CPS determined there was a “realistic prospect of conviction” before authorising charges in July.
Lawyer Maintains Client’s Innocence
Jenny Wiltshire, partner at London law firm Hickman & Rose representing Partey, has stated: “He denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Following his initial appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August, Partey was granted conditional bail. The conditions prohibit him from contacting any of the three complainants and require him to inform police of any international travel one day in advance.
Despite the bail conditions, Partey is not prevented from playing professional football and has been able to continue his career with his new Spanish club.
Controversial Move to Villarreal
Villarreal signed Partey in August on a two-year deal through to 2027, a move that sparked significant backlash from sections of the Spanish club’s fanbase and wider football community. The signing came despite the pending criminal charges being public knowledge.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig defended the decision, stating: “The player is currently undergoing legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence and denies the charges against him. The club upholds the presumption of innocence, and it will be the responsibility of the English courts to clarify the facts.
Roig added: “At this moment, Partey is as innocent as the rest of us here. A fundamental right like this must be respected. We must be cautious and wait for justice. Let’s not judge prematurely.”
Arsenal Supporters Demand Action
The Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence group expressed “profound disappointment” in their former club’s handling of the matter. Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in August, spokesperson Honor Barber told reporters: “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.”
The group had protested outside almost every Arsenal home match last season, seeking to “disrupt the wall of silence” they claimed the club had maintained around the issue. An Arsenal spokesperson stated: “The player’s contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Champions League Return Overshadowed
Partey’s appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night created an extraordinary situation, with the midfielder playing competitive football hours before his scheduled court appearance. Villarreal manager Marcelino García Toral grew visibly frustrated during pre-match press conferences as English journalists repeatedly questioned him about Partey.
“We are talking more about Thomas than the game,” Marcelino complained, attempting to steer discussion towards football matters. He insisted Partey would be able to handle the match if selected, praising his “football capacity and ability.”
When Partey was introduced in the 78th minute, he was met with sustained booing from the Tottenham crowd of 54,755. The Athletic reported that whilst many Villarreal players and staff are happy to have a player of Partey’s ability, some squad members have privately expressed concerns about having him as a teammate.
Career in Limbo Despite Performances
Partey had been a consistent performer for Arsenal since joining from Atlético Madrid for €50 million in October 2020. He made 167 appearances for the Gunners overall, scoring nine goals, with his best season coming in 2024-25 when he netted four goals in 35 Premier League matches.
The midfielder has also earned 51 caps for Ghana and was reportedly in talks to extend his Arsenal contract before the charges were filed. He has since made several appearances for Villarreal in La Liga and now the Champions League, maintaining his playing career whilst the legal proceedings continue.
Reports suggest Partey’s lawyers met with him at Villarreal’s London hotel on Monday to prepare for Wednesday’s court hearing. Unlike his teammates who returned to Spain immediately after Tuesday’s match, Partey remained in London to fulfil his legal obligations.
Trial Date Yet to Be Set
Wednesday’s hearing at Southwark Crown Court was a plea and trial preparation hearing, with a full trial date not yet scheduled. Legal experts suggest the trial may not take place until 2026 given the complexity of the case and current court backlogs.
If convicted on the most serious charges, Partey could face a substantial prison sentence. The maximum sentence for rape in England and Wales is life imprisonment, though sentencing guidelines typically result in determinate sentences based on the specific circumstances of each case.
The Crown Prosecution Service reminded the public that criminal proceedings are active and that Partey has the right to a fair trial. They emphasised that victims of sexual offences are automatically entitled to lifelong anonymity, making it illegal for media or anyone else to publish information that could identify them.
Football Career Continues Under Cloud
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Partey continues to play professional football at the highest level. He featured in Villarreal’s recent La Liga match against Atlético Madrid and was available for selection for Ghana’s World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali earlier this month.
The situation raises complex questions about employment and presumption of innocence, with Villarreal maintaining that Partey should be able to continue his career until any potential conviction. This stance has divided opinion within football, with some arguing for suspension pending trial whilst others defend the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
As the legal process continues, Partey’s case remains one of the most high-profile criminal proceedings involving a Premier League footballer in recent years. The outcome of the trial, when it eventually takes place, will have significant implications not only for Partey’s freedom but also for how football clubs handle players facing serious criminal allegations.
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