Thomas Partey, Ghanaian international footballer and former Arsenal midfielder, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault during a court appearance on Wednesday in London. His trial is set to begin on November 2, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court.
The charges stem from alleged incidents involving three different women between 2021 and 2022, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Two rape charges relate to one complainant, while three others relate to a second woman. The single sexual assault charge involves a third individual.
Partey, 32, denied all charges during his appearance in court, which came less than 24 hours after he featured for Spanish club Villarreal in a UEFA Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur — where he was met with boos from the opposing fans. Villarreal lost the match 1-0.
The first complaint was made to Metropolitan Police in February 2022, during Partey’s time at Arsenal. He was formally charged this year, following the expiration of his contract with the North London club in June. He later joined Villarreal on August 7, a signing that immediately sparked backlash from sections of the club’s fanbase.
Partey was previously granted bail by Westminster Magistrates’ Court under strict conditions, including a no-contact order with the three women involved in the case. His lawyer reiterated on Wednesday that the player “denies all the charges” and “welcomes the opportunity to clear his name in court.”
The midfielder's plea hearing had originally been scheduled for September 2 at the Old Bailey but was quietly rescheduled without public explanation.
The case adds to ongoing conversations about sexual violence in elite sports and the accountability of clubs, institutions, and fanbases in responding to serious allegations against high-profile athletes.
