Ex-Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Granted Bail On Rape Charges

Former Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after appearing in a London court on charges of rape and sexual assault.

The 32-year-old was charged with five counts of rape involving two women and an additional charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

It was gathered that he alleged incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022, during his time at Arsenal.

KanyiDaily recalls that Thomas Partey was charged on July 4, just four days after his contract with the club expired.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5, Partey stood silently in the dock wearing a black zip-up jumper, with his hands behind his back.

The footballer showed no visible reaction as the charges were read, and he was not asked to enter a plea.

His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, had previously said Partey “denies all the charges” and is looking forward to clearing his name in court.

As part of his bail conditions, Partey is not allowed to contact any of the three women involved in the case.

The 32-year-old footballer must also inform police of any permanent change in address or travel abroad.

While discussing his bail, the presiding magistrate noted that Partey no longer works in the UK and is reportedly set to play in Spain, with recent transfer speculation linking him to La Liga club Villarreal.

Partey is expected to appear at the Old Bailey in London on September 2 for the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the case has drawn criticism from fan group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, who condemned the club’s handling of the matter.

Speaking outside the court, the group spokesperson Honor Barber told reporters they were “deeply disappointed” that the club continued to play Partey regularly while he was under investigation.

‘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.

“We 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,” Barber said.

The group is calling on Arsenal to publicly release their sexual violence policies, adding that “suspend anyone under investigation for sexual offences” and “properly support the survivors”.

British police said they first received a report of alleged rape involving Thomas Partey in February 2022.

Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atlético Madrid in a £45 million move. He made 167 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals.

Last season alone, he played 52 times and scored four goals. He has also earned 51 caps for the Ghanaian national team.

KanyiDaily recalls that a former Brazil and Barcelona defender Dani Alves recently won his appeal against a sexual assault conviction after a Spanish court overturned the ruling.