Thomas Partey denies rape charges after return to London in Champions League

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has denied allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.

The 32-year-old footballer appeared at Southwark Crown Court this week, where he entered not guilty pleas to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The accusations relate to incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, during the period when Partey was a regular in Arsenal’s Premier League squad.

Charges were formally brought against him just four days after he departed the club, following the conclusion of his contract at the end of June.

Partey has been released on bail while awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin on 2 November next year at the same court.

During the hearing, he confirmed his identity before denying each charge.

🚨 BREAKING: Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey on Wednesday appeared in a London court and pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women, according to Reuters.

The 32-year-old appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court and spoke only to… pic.twitter.com/cbw4kFLHZT