Former Arsenal and Ghana national team midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after appearing in a London court on multiple rape and sexual assault charges.
The 32-year-old is facing five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third woman. Prosecutors say the alleged offences occurred between 2021 and 2022, when Partey was playing for Arsenal.
Partey left the Premier League club at the end of June when his contract expired and was charged four days later. The Metropolitan Police said the charges stem from an investigation that began in February 2022, after officers first received a rape complaint.
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has said earlier that Partey denies all the allegations and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
The Metropolitan Police launched their investigation in February 2022 after receiving the first report of rape. Partey was initially arrested in July 2022 but continued playing for Arsenal while the inquiry continued.
His contract with Arsenal ended on June 30, and the charges came four days after his departure, at which point he became a free agent. Reports also indicate he is finalizing a transfer to Spanish club Villarreal.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who leads the investigation, stressed the priority remains on supporting the women who have come forward and encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact police.
Arsenal has stated it is unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Partey, a Ghana international, made over 160 appearances for Arsenal since joining in 2020 from Atletico Madrid for a £45 million fee.
Thomas Partey faces serious rape and sexual assault allegations from incidents during 2021-2022. He has pleaded not guilty and been granted bail, with the case ongoing and due back in court in September. Authorities continue their support for the alleged victims as investigations proceed.