Footballer Thomas Partey to deny two new rape allegations, UK court hears

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey intends to plead not guilty to two new charges of rape, a London court has heard The 32-year-old, who now plays for Villarreal, was charged last month in relation to an alleged incident with a woman in December 2020

These new Thomas Partey rape charges were addressed at a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday The Ghanaian international was excused from attending, but his barrister, Emma Fenn, indicated he would deny both counts Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram referred the case to a crown court for a hearing scheduled on April 10

The latest allegations are in addition to a separate case involving the footballer. Partey already faces five charges of rape concerning two other women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman A trial for those initial charges is scheduled to take place at Southwark Crown Court in November This latest development in the Partey allegations brings the total number of complainants to four Partey joined Villarreal from Arsenal in June 2025