Thomas Partey to deny new rape allegations as court proceedings continue

Ghana international footballer Thomas Partey intends to deny two new allegations of rape, a court in London has heard.

‎The 32-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Villarreal CF in Spain, did not appear in person during a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday. His lawyer, Emma Fenn, told the court that Partey plans to plead not guilty to both charges.

‎The hearing, overseen by deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram, addressed the early stages of the case after the midfielder was charged last month with two counts of raping a woman on a date in December 2020.

‎Prosecutor Arabella MacDonald told the court that the complainant came forward after earlier allegations involving the player became widely publicised.

‎“Mr Partey faces two further charges of rape dating back to December 2020,” she said. “The complainant came forward after news of Mr Partey’s other matters were widely publicised.”

‎The new allegations relate to a fourth alleged victim and accuse the footballer of twice raping a woman in London on a single day in December 2020.

‎Partey has already pleaded not guilty to five other counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third alleged victim. Those charges relate to incidents said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

‎The latest charges have been sent to Southwark Crown Court, where they will be heard on 10 April. Partey is already due to stand trial there in November over the earlier allegations.

‎The midfielder, who previously lived in Potters Bar in Hertfordshire, joined Arsenal FC from Atlético Madrid in 2020 in a transfer reported to be worth around £45m before leaving the club in June last year.

‎Partey has made more than 50 appearances for Ghana national football team, representing the country at both the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

‎He was released on bail on Friday with conditions including that he must not contact the alleged victim. The footballer is expected to attend the next court hearing in April.