After a three-year investigation by the Police and Crown Prosecution Service, footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
Partey is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another woman. He is also accused of sexually assaulting a third woman. These reported incidents took place between 2021 and 2022.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian international was charged just four days after leaving Arsenal, who did not renew his contract at the end of the 2024/2025 season.
His lawyer maintains that Partey denies any allegations against him, and is taking this prosecution as an “opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Thomas Partey, who plays as a defensive midfielder, has over 1.6 million followers on Instagram, demonstrating what a high-profile case this is. He joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a £45 million transfer and played 35 games in the Premier League last season.
Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Andy Furphy, Detective Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, emphasises: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.”
Partey will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5th August.
Image Credits: “ATL-Madrid-Lokomotiv001-Thomas (cropped)” by Anna Nessie is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.