Thomas Partey Denies New Rape Allegations

Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two fresh allegations of rape. The 32-year-old midfielder appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he denied raping a woman in London on a day in December 2020. Partey was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year, which he also denied. The new allegations were announced in February, and a judge has ruled that all the charges will be tried together. As a result, the trial may be postponed until January next year. In total, Partey has now pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations from four different women. The Ghanaian national team player, who recently joined Villarreal, is expected to play in the World Cup this summer. He has been granted bail and is not allowed to contact the alleged victims during the proceedings. The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on May 14, and a trial date will be set once the judge has been confirmed.