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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has emphasised that the club followed proper procedures in handling Thomas Partey’s case.
Thomas Partey during his Arsenal days (X)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta firmly asserted that the club followed the proper procedure in handling the case of former midfielder Thomas Partey, who was recently charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police Service, shortly after his contract with the club ended.
The alleged incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022. Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. The investigation began in 2022. Partey faces two counts of rape concerning one woman, three counts involving a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relating to a third woman.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a man after a file of evidence was submitted by detectives. The Met has issued a charge and requisition to Thomas Partey, 32 (13/06/1992), of Hertfordshire, in connection with the following offences: Five counts of rape, one count of sexual assault,” read the statement by the Metropolitan Police.
Arsenal are currently in Singapore for their pre-season tour and will face AC Milan on Wednesday. During a press conference, Arteta was asked about the Ghanaian midfielder.
“The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated, so I cannot comment on any of that,” said Arteta.
When questioned if he believed the club had followed the correct process regarding the situation, Arteta replied, “100%, yes.”
Partey signed for Atletico Madrid in 2012, making 188 appearances for the Spanish club, helping them win the Europa League in 2018 and La Liga in 2021. Arsenal signed him from Atletico Madrid on the transfer deadline day in October 2020 after meeting his £45 million release clause.
The midfielder went on to play 167 games for Arsenal, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists. He has 53 caps for the Ghana national team, scoring 15 goals for the African nation.
(With IANS Inputs)
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