Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape, British police said on Friday. The 32-year-old also faces one count of sexual assault relating to an alleged offence that took place between 2021 and 2022.
Police said the investigation was opened in February 2022 when it first received a report of rape by the Ghanaian footballer.
The five rape charges relate to two different women. The sexual assault charge relates to a third woman.
Partey is a free agent after his Arsenal contract expired at the end of last season. He joined the Premier League club in 2020 for $61.8 million from Spanish team Atletico Madrid.
“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said.
Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on 5 August, police said.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.”
Defence lawyer said: “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.
“He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further.”
Partey has just left Arsenal after his contract expired and was said to be attracting interest from clubs including Juventus, Barcelona and Fenerbahce.
The Ghanaian player was at the Emirates for five years after signing from Atletico Madrid and has also played dozens of times for his country. His time with Arsenal was marked by recurring injuries but he played 130 times for the club in the Premier League, including 35 times last season when he scored four goals.
Anyone who has information about the case, or has been impacted by it, is being asked to contact the Met Police.
Additional Source: Africa News
