Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning to face multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian international, who left Arsenal following the expiration of his contract in June, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the charges relate to incidents involving three women and are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 while Partey was still playing for the North London club.
He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman, three counts against another, and one count of sexual assault against a third.
A report by the Mirror.co.uk indicated that Partey appeared in court dressed in a black zip-neck jumper, standing quietly in the dock with his hands behind his back. His bail conditions include restrictions on contacting any of the alleged victims and a requirement to notify police of any permanent change of address or international travel.
The court heard that Partey is currently on the verge of signing with Spanish side Villarreal. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring noted during proceedings, “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, reiterated her client’s position, stating that he “denies all the charges against him” and is looking forward to “finally clearing his name.”
The case is scheduled to continue at the Old Bailey on September 2.
