London, UK — Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, 32, pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. The charges involve alleged incidents with three women between 2021 and 2022.
Partey, who recently completed a transfer from Arsenal to Villarreal, was initially arrested and bailed in August. That bail period enabled his move to Spain and participation in competitive matches, including Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, which Villarreal won 2-1.
During the match, Partey was targeted by sections of the Tottenham fanbase, who booed him and chanted references to the allegations each time he touched the ball.
The court set a trial date for November 2026, meaning the case will stretch well into the latter stages of Partey’s playing career. In the meantime, he remains on conditional bail, which includes surrendering his passport and observing strict no-contact orders with the complainants.
Neither Partey nor Villarreal have made a public statement on the matter following Wednesday’s proceedings