Partey Charged With Multiple Counts Of Rape And Sexual Assault

The Ghanaian midfielder left Arsenal earlier this week after his contract expired

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the allegations relate to three separate women who reported incidents between 2021 and 2022.

The charges of rape relate to two of the women, while the sexual assault allegation relates to a third, the Metropolitan Police said.

The investigation into Partey began in February 2022 after officers first received a report of rape.

Partey, 32, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 5 August.

Jaswant Narwal, of the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape – after carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence.”

“We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial,” he added.

“We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, encouraged witnesses to contact the police.

“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” he said.

“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team.”

The CPS statement comes three years after The Telegraph first reported that a Premier League footballer had been arrested in north London on suspicion of rape.

Despite the identity of the footballer being an open secret among journalists and fans, the media were unable to confirm their identity for legal reasons.

Partey left Arsenal earlier this week after his contract expired, becoming a free agent. He joined the club from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45m on four-year-contract, quickly establishing himself as a mainstay of the team.

A defensive midfielder, he played a crucial role in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge in 2022/23, making 33 appearances.

His contribution reduced in 2023/24 due to injury, but last season he was a regular in the starting line-up, making 35 league appearances.

Inews.co.uk