Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was granted conditional bail after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to three women.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian international faces allegations stemming from incidents between 2021 and 2022, during his time playing for the north London Premier League club. Deputy Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring set his next appearance for 2 September at the Old Bailey, where the case will proceed to trial.
The charges were brought just four days after Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired on 30 June, ending his five-year association with the club. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised the charges following a comprehensive three-year investigation by the Metropolitan Police, which began when officers first received a report of rape in February 2022.
Court Appearance and Charges
Partey, dressed in a black zip-neck jumper and black trousers while carrying a navy blazer, stood with his arms behind his back in the dock as prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC outlined the charges. The court heard that two of the rape charges relate to one woman, three to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge involves a third woman.
He’s charged with six sexual offences, five of rape, one of sexual assault,” Ledward told the court. He was first arrested in relation to two of the charges on 4 July 2022 and released under investigation on 2 August 2023.
Describing the sexual assault allegation, Ledward stated: “The complainant attended Mr Partey’s address and he sexually assaulted her by lying on top of her, trying to kiss her and touching her all over her body over clothing without consent. She tried to push him off and after a couple of minutes he stopped.”
The footballer, who gave his address as Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He was not asked to enter pleas to any of the charges at this preliminary hearing.
Bail Conditions and Legal Response
Chief Magistrate Goldspring granted Partey conditional bail with strict requirements. The bail conditions prohibit him from contacting any of the three complainants and require him to notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel plans.
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously stated that her client “denies all the charges against him” and that he “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, emphasised the seriousness of the case whilst reminding the public of legal restrictions: “We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Arsenal Supporters Protest
Outside the courthouse, members of Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence staged a silent protest, holding a banner that read: “Arsenal said: ‘We do the right thing’, then did nothing.” The group has been vocal in criticising the club’s handling of the situation, particularly their decision to continue selecting Partey whilst he was under investigation.
Honor Barber, a spokeswoman for the group, 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.
The group noted that Partey played 53 games last season alone for Arsenal and accumulated an additional 56 club appearances over the previous two seasons whilst on bail. He also represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during this period.
While we recognise that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, we would find any scenario in which a club was to continually select and promote a player under investigation for sexual offences deeply concerning,” the group stated. This would give the suggestion that success on the pitch far outweighs respect for victims of sexual violence.
The protesters have called for Arsenal to publish their sexual violence policies, suspend anyone under investigation for sexual offences, and provide proper support for survivors. They reported protesting outside almost every home game last season in an attempt to “disrupt the wall of silence” surrounding the issue.
Arsenal’s Response
Arsenal have maintained a limited response to the situation. An official spokesperson stated: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”
During the club’s recent pre-season tour in Asia, manager Mikel Arteta defended Arsenal’s handling of the situation, saying he was “100 per cent” comfortable with how the club had managed the case. However, this stance has drawn criticism from supporters’ groups who argue that the club should have suspended the player pending the outcome of the investigation.
Career and Transfer Developments
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, reports indicate that Partey is close to completing a move to Spanish La Liga side Villarreal. Multiple sources suggest he has already passed a medical examination and agreed personal terms for a one-year contract with an option for a further 12-month extension.
Chief Magistrate Goldspring acknowledged during the bail hearing: “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”
The timing of any potential transfer is particularly notable, as Villarreal are scheduled to play a friendly match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, 6 August, just one day after Partey’s court appearance.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 for a reported fee of £45.3 million (€50 million). During his time with the Gunners, he made 167 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals. Last season, he featured in 52 matches, contributing four goals and three assists.
Police Investigation
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police, who is leading 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.”
The investigation began in February 2022 following the first report of rape. Partey was first arrested in July 2022 but was not publicly named at the time due to legal restrictions. He continued to play for Arsenal throughout the investigation period, attending three voluntary interviews with police over the course of three years.
Legal Proceedings
The case will now proceed to the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), where Partey will face a plea hearing on 2 September. All five rape charges are indictable-only offences, meaning they must be tried at Crown Court before a jury.
The Metropolitan Police and CPS have worked closely throughout the investigation, reviewing what officials described as a “comprehensive file of evidence” before authorising charges.
As criminal proceedings are now active, reporting restrictions apply to ensure Partey’s right to a fair trial. The case continues to draw significant public attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about how professional football clubs handle allegations of sexual violence against their players.
The footballer’s representatives have not commented on the Villarreal transfer reports in light of the court proceedings.
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