Ghanaian Midfielder Faces Seven Rape Counts After Latest Court Appearance
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has formally denied two new allegations of rape during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. The 32-year-old, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, pleaded not guilty to charges of twice raping a woman in London on a single day in December 2020.
Consolidated Trial Faces Potential Delay
Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, ruled that these two new charges will be tried alongside five existing counts of rape and one allegation of sexual assault that Partey already faces. The earlier charges, to which he has also pleaded not guilty, relate to alleged incidents in 2021 and 2022 and were initially scheduled for trial this November.
However, Judge Baumgartner warned that combining all allegations—which now involve four different women—could push the trial start date to January 2025. The court confirmed that Mr Justice Bennathan is expected to preside over the trial.
Total Charges: Seven counts of rape, one count of sexual assault.
Next Hearing: Pre-trial review scheduled for May 14.
Current Status: Released on bail with conditions prohibiting contact with alleged victims.
Partey, dressed in a charcoal grey suit, confirmed his identity and entered the pleas during the brief hearing before leaving the court. He was absent from a previous procedural hearing last month, though his lawyer had indicated not guilty pleas would be entered.
Football Career in the Balance
The Ghana international joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a reported £45 million before departing last summer. Despite the serious legal proceedings, he remains an integral part of the Ghana national team and is expected to feature in upcoming international fixtures.
Key Takeaways
- Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new rape charges from December 2020, bringing his total to seven rape charges and one sexual assault charge.
- All allegations from four different women will be tried together in a single trial.
- The trial, originally set for November 2024, may now be delayed until January 2025 due to the consolidation of cases.
- Partey remains on bail with strict conditions and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on May 14.
- The footballer continues his career with Villarreal and the Ghana national team while the legal process continues.
The case represents one of the most serious legal situations involving a current high-profile footballer in recent years. The football world will be watching closely as proceedings develop, particularly regarding how Partey's clubs and national federation handle his involvement during the legal process. The next significant development will come at the May pre-trial hearing, where a firm trial date should be established.
