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Thomas Partey, ex-Arsenal and current Villarreal midfielder, pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges; his trial is set for November 2026 at Southwark Crown Court.
Thomas Partey arrives at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court where he is charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault (Picture credit: AP)
Villareal defender Thomas Partey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.
The 32-year-old, who previously played for Arsenal, faces five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, during his time with the Gunners.
Partey was formally charged just four days after leaving the Premier League club following the expiry of his contract at the end of June.
Court Proceedings and Trial Date
Partey appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he confirmed his name and date of birth before entering not guilty pleas to all charges.
Judge Christopher Hehir confirmed that the trial will begin on November 2, 2026, noting the backlog of cases in the Crown Court system.
“Your trial will take place at this court on November 2 of next year, 2026,” Judge Hehir said.
Bail Conditions
Partey was granted bail under the same terms as a previous hearing.
He is prohibited from contacting the three women involved in the case and must inform police of any permanent change of address or international travel plans.
Football Career and Recent Move
Partey’s court appearance came less than 24 hours after he featured for Villarreal in their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Tottenham in London.
The midfielder joined Villarreal in the summer of 2025, shortly after leaving Arsenal.
Partey moved to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a £45 million ($61 million) transfer. Over four seasons, he played 167 games for the Gunners, scoring nine goals, including four last season across 52 appearances.
For Ghana, he has earned more than 50 international caps and represented his country at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With his trial set for late 2026, Partey will remain active with Villarreal and Ghana unless further legal restrictions are imposed.
Arsenal’s Statement
Arsenal confirmed earlier this year that his contract ended on June 30.
A spokesperson added: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
September 17, 2025, 16:27 IST
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