Ex Arsenal star Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to rape

Former Arsenal ace Thomas Partey, now at Villarreal, faces explosive rape and sexual assault charges as court sets a 2026 trial after tense north London return

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to a series of serious sexual offences during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court.

The 32-year-old, who now plays for Villarreal in Spain, faces five counts of rape relating to two women, alongside one count of sexual assault concerning a third woman. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, while he was contracted to Arsenal.

Partey spoke only to confirm his name, age, and his pleas of not guilty during the short hearing before High Court Judge Christopher Hehir.

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The judge confirmed that his trial has been listed for 2 November 2026 at Southwark Crown Court, noting that the extended delay reflects the significant backlog in the Crown Court system, with custody cases prioritised over those where defendants remain on bail.

The midfielder remains on bail under strict conditions, including that he must not make contact with any of the complainants, and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or of any international travel. The same conditions were imposed at an earlier hearing and continue in force.

The plea hearing followed swiftly after Partey’s appearance on the pitch in north London the previous evening. He was brought on as a substitute for Villarreal during their Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a match Villarreal went on to lose 1-0.

His introduction drew a notably hostile reaction from the home crowd, with repeated chants of:

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