Quick Read
- Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two additional rape charges, bringing the total number of counts against him to nine.
- The legal case now involves allegations from four separate complainants, with the court ordering all charges to be tried together.
- The trial date for the expanded case remains uncertain and could be delayed until early 2027, with the next pre-trial hearing set for May 14.
LONDON (Azat TV) – Thomas Partey, the 32-year-old midfielder currently playing for Spanish club Villarreal, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to enter formal not guilty pleas to two additional counts of rape. The proceedings mark a significant expansion of the legal case against the former Arsenal player, which now involves allegations from four different complainants.
Consolidation of Legal Charges
Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, confirmed during Monday’s hearing that the two new charges, which relate to an alleged incident in London in December 2020, will be tried alongside the existing seven counts. Previously, Partey had been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three other women, for which he had already entered not guilty pleas. The court’s decision to consolidate these allegations means the former Ghana international will face a single, comprehensive trial.
Trial Timeline and Judicial Status
While a trial for the original charges had been penciled in for November 2026, the inclusion of the new counts has created uncertainty regarding the schedule. Legal experts suggest the complexity of the expanded case may push the trial date into early 2027. Partey remains on conditional bail, which prohibits him from making any direct or indirect contact with the complainants and requires him to keep authorities informed of his residential status and international travel plans. His defense team, led by Jenny Wiltshire, has reiterated that the player denies all allegations and is cooperating fully with the investigative process.
Impact on Professional Career
The legal developments arrive at a precarious moment for the midfielder’s career. Partey, who departed Arsenal in June 2025 following the expiration of his contract, joined Villarreal as a free agent last August. Despite the ongoing criminal proceedings, he has maintained a presence in the Spanish side’s rotation, appearing in 26 matches this season. His status for the upcoming World Cup remains a point of speculation, although he is currently expected to represent Ghana in the tournament this summer. The court has scheduled the next pre-trial hearing for May 14, where further decisions regarding the trial timeline are expected to be finalized.
The broadening scope of the case, now involving four separate complainants and nine total counts, significantly increases the legal exposure for the athlete, as the judicial system prepares to navigate a complex evidentiary process that will likely define the future of his professional involvement in top-tier football.