Ex-Arsenal Player Thomas Partey Denies New Rape Allegations

Thomas Partey, a former Arsenal football player, has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rape. The 32-year-old athlete appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Monday, denying the accusations of raping a woman in London in December 2020. Partey, who transferred to Villarreal from Arsenal last summer, was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year, with the alleged incidents dating back to 2021 and 2022. He had already pleaded not guilty to these charges, with a trial initially set for November this year. The two new rape allegations were announced in February, and Judge Tony Baumgartner has decided that all allegations will be tried together. However, he warned that 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. During the hearing, Partey, dressed in dark grey trousers, a black jumper, and smart black shoes, confirmed his name and entered the not guilty pleas. He left the courtroom with his charcoal grey suit jacket over his shoulder. Partey was absent from the Westminster Magistrates' Court last month when the charges were first presented, but his lawyer indicated that he would plead not guilty. The Ghanaian midfielder, who previously resided in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a transfer worth around £45m before leaving the club in June last year. He is expected to play for the Ghana national team in the World Cup this summer. Partey is currently on bail and is not allowed to contact the alleged victims during the legal proceedings. The court expects Mr Justice Bennathan to preside over the trial, with the next pre-trial hearing scheduled for May 14. A decision on the exact trial date will be made once the judge is confirmed.