Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has denied multiple sexual offence charges during a high-profile court appearance in London. The Villarreal player, who recently left Arsenal after four years in the Premier League, pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege that the 32-year-old raped two women and assaulted a third between 2021 and 2022 while he was still under contract with Arsenal. Partey confirmed his identity before entering not guilty pleas to all six charges. The case, which has drawn international attention, is expected to have its trial date set at a future hearing.
Partey’s legal troubles come just weeks after his Arsenal contract expired on June 30. He later signed with Spanish side Villarreal in August and made his Champions League debut for the club in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, coming off the bench in the 78th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A seasoned international, Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a £45m deal and went on to make 167 appearances, scoring nine goals. For Ghana, he has been a mainstay in midfield, collecting more than 50 caps and representing the Black Stars at major tournaments.
Arsenal has declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Villarreal has also remained silent, with focus now on the looming trial that will decide one of the most serious cases involving a top African footballer in recent years.
