Ghanaian international footballer Thomas Partey has denied multiple charges of rape and sexual assault brought against him in the United Kingdom.
The former Arsenal midfielder appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, during his time in the English Premier League.
Partey, 32, was charged just four days after leaving Arsenal at the end of June following the expiration of his contract. He now plays for Spanish club Villarreal CF.
At Tuesday’s court session, Partey confirmed his identity before entering his pleas. He was granted bail ahead of his trial, which is scheduled to begin on 2 November next year at the same court.
Under the terms of his bail, Partey is allowed to continue playing football but must give police 24 hours’ notice of any international travel. He has also been ordered not to contact the complainants.
The midfielder was already in England this week as Villarreal faced Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, coming on as a substitute in his side’s 1-0 defeat.
