Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Rape Allegations

Ex-Arsenal football player Thomas Partey has entered not guilty pleas to two new allegations of rape. The 32-year-old athlete appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Monday, denying the rape of a woman in London in December 2020. Partey, who joined 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, announced in February, will now be tried together with the previous charges, as agreed upon by Judge Tony Baumgartner. However, the judge 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, stemming from allegations made by four different women. During the hearing, Partey confirmed his name and entered the not guilty pleas while dressed in dark grey trousers, a black jumper, and smart black shoes. He was granted bail with the condition that he must not contact the alleged victims. Partey is expected to play for the Ghana national team in the upcoming World Cup. His case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on May 14, at which point a decision will be made on the exact trial date.