Thomas Partey Enters Pleas of Not Guilty to Additional Rape Allegations

Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has entered not guilty pleas to two fresh allegations of rape. The 32-year-old athlete appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Monday, where he denied committing two instances of rape against a woman in London in December 2020. Partey, who transitioned from Arsenal to Villarreal last summer, was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July of the previous year, with the alleged incidents dating back to 2021 and 2022. He had already pleaded not guilty to those charges, and a trial was initially set for November of this year. Following the introduction of two new rape charges in February, Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, decided that all allegations would be tried together. However, he cautioned that the trial may now be postponed until January of next year. In total, Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, stemming from allegations made by four different women. During the hearing, Partey, dressed in dark grey trousers, a black jumper, and smart black shoes, confirmed his identity and entered the not guilty pleas. He departed the courtroom with his charcoal grey suit jacket draped over his shoulder. Although Partey was absent from Westminster Magistrates' Court last month when the charges were first presented, his lawyer indicated that not guilty pleas would be entered on his behalf. The Ghanaian midfielder, who previously resided in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, and joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a transfer worth approximately £45m, is expected to participate in the World Cup this summer as a key member of the Ghana national team. Partey is currently on bail, with the condition that he must not contact the alleged victims. The court anticipates that Mr Justice Bennathan will preside over the trial, with the next pre-trial hearing scheduled for May 14. A decision regarding the exact trial date will be made once the judge has been confirmed.