Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Tuesday, facing five counts of rape involving two women and an additional charge of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged incidents occurred between April 2021 and June 2022 while Partey was a player in the English Premier League.
Prosecutors stated that two of the charges involve non-consensual acts during otherwise consensual encounters, while three other rape charges stem from incidents with a second woman in both the UK and Spain.
Partey, 32, dressed in black, confirmed his identity during the brief hearing but was not asked to enter a plea. He was granted bail and is scheduled to appear next at the Old Bailey on September 2.
Signed by Arsenal from Atlético Madrid for €50 million in 2020, Partey made 52 appearances last season before his contract expired.
Though first arrested in July 2022, he remained unnamed publicly and continued to play for Arsenal during the investigation.
Reports suggest he is nearing a move to Spanish side Villarreal on a free transfer.
