Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey charged with rape in UK

Thomas Partey was charged four days after leaving the North London club.

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Picture: AP

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after complaints by three women, UK police said.

The charges against the 32-year-old Ghana international relate to alleged offences that took place between 2021 and 2022, the Metropolitan Police force said in a statement.

Partey was charged four days after leaving the North London club.

Police said the investigation was opened in February 2022 when it first received a report of rape.

The five rape charges relate to two different women. The sexual assault charge relates to a third woman.

“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said.

“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team.”

Partey’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said the footballer denies all the charges and, “he now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name”.

“He has fully co-operated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation,” Ms Wiltshire said.

“Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further,” she added.

He was due to appear in court in central London on August 5.

Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 for £45.3 million pounds ($94.38 million) from Spanish team Atletico Madrid.

He won the Spanish title and the Europa League during his time at Atletico and was part of an Arsenal team that finished runner up in each of the last three Premier League seasons.

AFP, AP