Thomas Partey Denies New Rape Allegations

Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has entered not guilty pleas to two fresh allegations of rape. The 32-year-old midfielder appeared in court on Monday to deny raping a woman in London in December 2020. Partey was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year, to which he also pleaded not guilty. A trial was initially set for November this year, but the emergence of two new rape charges in February may cause a delay until January next year. The footballer, who now plays for Villarreal, has been accused by four different women and has pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey's case will be tried together, with Judge Tony Baumgartner warning of potential delays. The Ghanaian midfielder, who is on bail, is expected to play for Ghana in the World Cup this summer. His case will be back in court on May 14 for a pre-trial hearing, with a decision on the trial date to be made once the judge is confirmed.