Partey arrived at court on Tuesday accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third. The 32 year old “denies all the charges against him” and his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously added that he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.
The veteran midfielder was met by a handful of protesters angry at the club as he arrived to answer allegations relating to three women between 2021 and 2022. He was charged four days after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June and his next court appearance is next month on the 2nd September.
Partey is preparing to join La Liga side Villarreal on a one-year contract, with the possibility of a further 12-month extension, in what is one of the most controversial moves of the summer. Villarreal will face Partey’s former club Arsenal in a friendly at the Emirates this week, and he could face his former side despite protests.
The midfielder is understood to have completed his medical at Villarreal as he returns to Spain where he has played for Atlético Madrid, Mallorca and Almería. Some supporters of the Spanish club have voiced opposition to his expected move, with a hashtag #NoAThomasPartey appearing on social media.