Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on multiple serious charges, including five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The allegations involve three women and reportedly date back to between 2021 and 2022, coinciding with his time at the Premier League club.
The 32-year-old Ghana international appeared in court wearing a black zip-neck jumper, standing with his arms behind his back as proceedings commenced. According to British police, the first reports of an allegation against Partey surfaced in February 2022, which led to a protracted investigation and eventually to formal charges late last month.
Partey’s legal representative, Jenny Wiltshire, publicly stated that the midfielder “denies all the charges against him,” expressing his desire to “clear his name.” This sentiment echoes the mood among his supporters, many of whom have rallied around the player amid the troubling allegations.
These developments arrive just days after Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired on June 30, as the club refrains from commenting on the ongoing legal matters. An Arsenal spokesman stated, “Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Partey was a major acquisition for Arsenal, having transferred from Atletico Madrid in October 2020 for a reported fee of £45 million ($60 million). Within a season, he proved instrumental on the pitch, contributing significantly to the team with 52 appearances and four goals in the last season alone, adding to a total of 167 games where he netted nine times during his tenure with the Gunners. His international experience is equally notable, having earned 51 caps with the Ghana national team.
Despite the gravity of the charges, rumours have begun to circulate linking Partey to a potential move to Villarreal, suggesting that discussions could be ongoing as he navigates the turbulent waters of his current situation.