Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to five rape charges

Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with his trial scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court in London.

According to the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the 32-year-old faces two counts of rape involving one woman and three counts involving another, while the sexual assault charge relates to a third woman.

Partey entered his plea on Wednesday, September 17, appearing in court dressed in black trousers, a black quarter-zip jumper, and a blue jacket. He denied all allegations.

The charges stem from alleged incidents between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the first complaint was filed in February 2022. Partey was formally charged earlier this year after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired in June.

He was previously granted bail under strict conditions, including a ban on contacting any of the women involved. His lawyer said the midfielder “denies all the charges against him” and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”

Partey’s court appearance came less than 24 hours after he played for Villarreal in a UEFA Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, where he was jeered by Spurs fans. Villarreal lost 1-0.

The Ghana international joined Villarreal on August 7, 2025, a move that sparked protests from some fans of the Spanish club. His plea hearing was initially scheduled for September 2 at the Old Bailey but was adjourned, leading to Wednesday’s appearance.