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 on Monday, denying the rape of a woman in London in December 2020. Partey, who now plays for Villarreal, was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year, which he also denied. A trial was initially set for November this year, but with the two new rape charges announced in February, the trial may now be delayed until January next year. The footballer has now pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations from four different women. Partey, who is out on bail, is expected to face England in the World Cup this summer as part of the Ghana national team. His case is set to be heard in court again on May 14 for a pre-trial hearing, with a decision on the exact trial date to be made once the judge has been confirmed.