Thomas Partey faces new rape charges
Thomas Partey, who now plays for Villarreal in Spain’s top flight, faces two fresh rape charges following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service, reports BritPanorama.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder was already set to stand trial later this year after denying allegations of rape against two women and sexual assault against a third. Prosecutors have now authorised the additional counts against the Ghanaian international.
According to a Metropolitan Police statement, “These new charges relate to a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020 involving one additional woman and follow a new investigation by the Metropolitan Police.” The allegations were initially brought to the attention of authorities in August 2025, prompting a fresh investigation by the Met.
These latest charges concern a separate complainant, bringing the total number of women involved in the case to four. Partey is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday March 13 to face the newly authorised charges. The alleged incidents date back to 2020, predating the other accusations he currently faces.
The police statement confirmed these are being treated as “non-recent offences” following the completion of their investigation into the matter. At Southwark Crown Court in September of last year, Partey entered not guilty pleas to five rape charges and a single count of sexual assault. Those accusations relate to incidents alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, when the midfielder was a regular starter for Arsenal in the Premier League.
The charges were brought just four days after his departure from the Gunners, with his contract at the club expiring at the end of June. His trial on these original charges is set to commence on 2 November, with Partey currently released on bail. The terms of his bail permit Partey to continue his football career, though he must give police 24 hours’ notice before travelling abroad and is prohibited from making contact with any of the complainants.
Following the end of his Arsenal tenure, the midfielder secured a move to La Liga outfit Villarreal, where he has established himself in the squad. He also continues to represent Ghana at international level, remaining an important figure in the national side. The Black Stars are due to meet England during the World Cup group stages in the United States on 23 June.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the complexities of athlete conduct under scrutiny remind us how the intersection of personal lives and professional careers can provoke intense public interest and debate.
