Thomas Partey: Ex-Arsenal player charged with rape arrives in court | UK News

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has appeared in court, where he faced charges of raping two women.

The 32-year-old, who was charged four days after leaving the north London club when his contract expired back in June, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another. The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.

Partey’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said the Ghanaian “denies all the charges against him” – and looks forward to the chance to “finally clear his name”.

He is appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he has been granted conditional bail.

Read more from Sky News:
Girl dies after water park incident
Permission granted for UK rocket launch

Partey joined Arsenal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2020 and became a regular for manager Mikel Arteta, who last month said he was “100% sure” the club followed the correct protocols.

An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: “The player’s contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”

Partey made 35 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals.