Thomas Partey, former Arsenal star, granted bail on rape charges
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail after appearing in a London court on Tuesday to face charges of rape and sexual assault.
The 32-year-old Ghana international is charged with five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged offenses took place between 2021 and 2022, while he was still a player for Arsenal. Partey was charged on July 4, shortly after his contract with the club expired at the end of June.
Appearing in Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Partey stood in the dock in a black jumper with his arms behind his back. He showed no reaction as the charges were read and was not asked to enter any pleas. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, had previously stated that Partey “denies all the charges against him” and “welcomed the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
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As part of his bail conditions, Partey is prohibited from contacting any of the three women and must inform police of any changes to his address or international travel plans.
During the discussion of bail conditions, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring noted, “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now,” a reference to recent reports linking Partey with a move to Spanish club Villarreal.
Partey is scheduled to appear at London’s Old Bailey court on September 2.
A spokesperson for the group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence expressed “profound disappointment” with the club’s handling of the situation.
Honor Barber told the PA news agency, “We never wanted to be in a situation where the club that we love and the club that has values that we believe in was playing, week-in, week-out, a player who is now facing court appearances on six counts of sexual violence.”
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Barber stated the group had protested “outside almost every home game last season because we wanted to disrupt the wall of silence that the club has put up around this issue.” She added that the group wants the club to publish its sexual violence policies, “suspend anyone under investigation for sexual offences,” and “properly support the survivors.”
British police confirmed they first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022. Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. He played 52 games for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals, and has 51 caps for Ghana.
An Arsenal spokesman previously commented, “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
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