Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s scheduled court hearing at the Old Bailey has been adjourned without explanation. The Ghanaian international, now playing for Spanish side Villarreal, is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Partey, 32, is accused of two counts of rape against one woman, three counts against a second woman, and a separate sexual assault against a third. The alleged offences occurred between 2021 and 2022, according to the Metropolitan Police. He denies all charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the first complaint was made in February 2022. Partey previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was granted bail on the condition that he does not contact any of the complainants.
The adjourned hearing has been rescheduled for September 17 at Southwark Crown Court just a day after Villarreal face Tottenham Hotspur in a Champions League clash in London.
Partey’s transfer to Villarreal in early August drew heavy criticism due to his ongoing case. A petition was launched by furious fans opposing the signing, and he was booed during his debut against Real Oviedo. Despite the controversy, he has already made three La Liga appearances for the club.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig has defended the decision to sign the midfielder, stressing the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence.
“The player is currently undergoing legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence and denies the charges against him,” Roig said. “At this moment, Partey is as innocent as the rest of us here. A fundamental right like this must be respected.”
Roig condemned violence of any form but insisted the club would not bow to external pressure, urging Villarreal fans to support the team and allow the courts to determine the outcome.
Meanwhile, Partey is also expected to feature for Ghana in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad on September 4 and Mali on September 8.
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