The Ghanaian former Arsenal footballer, Thomas Partey has been charged with rape and sexual assault in London.
Metropolitan Police said Partey has 5 counts of rape and 1 count of sexual assault and that these alleged offenses took place between 2021 and 2022. Partey was apparently arrested back in February 2022 when the investigations began, but had not been yet named.
Three women apparently reported him. One of the women accuses him of 3 counts of rape. Another woman of 2 counts of rape and the final one of 1 count of sexual assault.
The Ghanaian international has reportedly welcomed the opportunity to clear his name as he denies the charges.
Partey’s first court appearance will be on 5 August at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Said Partey’s lawyer in a statement:
“Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.
Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”
An Arsenal spokesman said:
“The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Partey joined Arsenal in October 202 for £45m coming from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.
Reactions on continued play at Arsenal despite 2022 arrest
Some analysts have questioned why Arsenal continued to pick Party to play despite the seriousness of the allegations on his arrest in 2022.
Said one analyst for Daily Mail:
…it is not unrealistic to assume this scenario would have played differently in other lines of work. With such serious offences being investigated, a suspension would most likely be imposed. Maybe on full pay, which in Partey’s case was £200,000 a week, or maybe not, but you’d probably be out of the building.
Not Partey, though. He was arrested on July 4, 2022, released on bail, and played 12 days later in a friendly against Everton in the US. Across that season, Arteta used him in 40 games, important enough for 2,694 minutes on the pitch and good for the opening goal in a North London derby against Tottenham.
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