Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

Villarreal midfielder and Ghana international Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 32-year-old footballer appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, where he entered not guilty pleas to all charges.

Partey is accused of five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offenses took place between April 2021 and June 2022, during his time playing for Premier League club Arsenal.

He has been released on bail ahead of his trial, which is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, and is expected to last for six to eight weeks.

Professional Background

Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for 50 million euros ($59m) and became a key player for the club. His contract expired at the end of June, and he has since signed with Spanish club Villarreal.

On Tuesday night, Partey played for Villarreal as a second-half substitute in a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal’s rival. He was booed by Spurs fans every time he touched the ball.