Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal Football Club midfielder and Ghanaian international, was granted conditional bail on Tuesday after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London to face multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.
The 32-year-old, whose contract with the Premier League side expired in June, has been formally charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. The alleged offenses involve three separate women and are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, during Partey’s tenure with the North London club.
Prosecutors allege that Partey committed two counts of rape against one complainant, three against another, and one count of sexual assault involving a third individual.
Dressed in a black zip-neck sweater, Partey stood silently in the dock with his hands clasped behind his back as the court outlined bail conditions. These include restrictions on contacting the alleged victims and requirements to notify authorities of any change in residence or international travel plans.
The proceedings also revealed that Partey is in advanced discussions to join Spanish club Villarreal CF. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring acknowledged during the hearing that Partey is “no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”
Jenny Wiltshire, Partey’s legal counsel, stated that her client "denies all the charges against him" and intends to "clear his name."
The case is scheduled to proceed at the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, on September 2.
