GHANA MIDFIELDER THOMAS PARTEY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO NEW RAPE CHARGES

Ghana footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rapes.

Then-Atletico Madrid football player Thomas Partey
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The 32-year-old midfielder appeared before the Southwark Crown Court in London (United Kingdom) on Monday (13 April).

He denied twice raping a woman in the English capital in December 2020.

In July 2025, Partey was already charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to alleged incidents from 2021 and 2022, Sky Sports reported.

He also pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The new accusations were announced in February. On Monday, Judge Tony Baumgartner agreed for all the charges to be tried together, possibly delaying the trial until January 2027.

In total, the former Arsenal player faces seven allegations of rape and one of sexual assault from four different women. He denies all the accusations.

“Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated with the police throughout,” his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said on Monday.

Partey, who joined La Liga club Villareal last summer, remains out on bail throughout the legal proceedings.

The Ghana midfielder is expected to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup starting in June, although a new muscle injury is raising concerns regarding his participation.

In the meantime, Partey’s case is due to be listed in court for a pre-trial hearing on 14 May, according to Sky Sports.

-Sarah Miansoni

EX-ARSENAL ACE THOMAS PARTEY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO RAPE CHARGES HOURS AFTER PLAYING AGAINST SPURS

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to raping two women.

The 32-year-old is accused of five counts of rape against the two alleged victims, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 when he played for Arsenal.

Partey spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and his not guilty pleas during a short hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he has been charged with five counts of rape against two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. Photo: Ben Whitley/PA Wire
 

The Ghanaian midfielder, who now plays for Spanish club Villarreal, faces trial under a High Court judge at the same court on November 2 next year.

Partey's latest court appearance comes hours after he came on as a substitute in his new club's Champions League fixture against Tottenham in London.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Christopher Hehir told Partey: "Your trial will take place at this court on November 2 of next year, 2026.

"I appreciate that is quite a long way in advance. As you may appreciate the crown courts have a huge backlog of work which means that trials do take a long time to come on.

Villarreal's Thomas Partey during the warm down after their Champions League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London on Tuesday night.
 

"Because you have bail effectively you are sitting behind a queue of people in prison who are waiting to be tried."

The judge granted bail on the same conditions as Partey was placed under at a previous hearing - that he cannot contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.

Partey, who previously gave his address as Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a transfer worth around £45million.

The Ghanaian international played 35 games for the north London club in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals.

He has made more than 50 appearances for Ghana, including at the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: "The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case."

 - Josh Payne and Ellie Ng

 

 

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