Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault during a court appearance in London.
The 32-year-old footballer is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, when he was a player for the Premier League club.
Appearing at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, Partey confirmed his name and date of birth before entering not guilty pleas to all six charges.
Prosecutors allege that Partey raped two women on separate occasions during his time in north London, and also sexually assaulted a third woman. The case has attracted significant public and media attention given his high-profile status as a professional footballer who played in England’s top flight.
Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atlético Madrid in a deal worth £45 million, has been capped more than 40 times by Ghana and was part of the national squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He left Arsenal earlier this year and is currently without a club, though he remains an active international player.
During Wednesday’s brief hearing, the midfielder spoke only to confirm his personal details and to formally deny the charges. The court was told that a trial is expected to last several weeks due to the seriousness and complexity of the allegations.
The Judge set a timetable for the case, confirming that pre-trial hearings will take place in the coming months. A full trial date is expected to be scheduled for early 2026. Partey was granted conditional bail while legal proceedings continue.
In response to the charges, Partey’s legal representatives have previously stated that he “strenuously denies” the allegations and intends to clear his name in court. Neither the Crown Prosecution Service nor the Metropolitan Police offered further comment following Wednesday’s hearing, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred while Partey was living in London and playing for Arsenal, though the club has not commented publicly since his departure earlier this year.
The case adds to ongoing conversations around sexual misconduct allegations involving high-profile sportsmen, with campaigners stressing the need for fair trials while ensuring victims feel able to come forward.
Partey will next appear at Southwark Crown Court later this year for a pre-trial review hearing.
