Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas partey has been formally charged with multiple serious offenses by London’s Metropolitan police Service. The Ghana international is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. These charges follow a comprehensive investigation that has spanned over three years.
The allegations, which Partey vehemently denies through his legal team, relate to incidents involving three separate women. Police state that the offenses allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2022. Specifically, the charges comprise two counts of rape concerning one woman, three counts of rape relating to a second woman, and a single count of sexual assault involving a third woman.
Legal Proceedings Underway
The investigation into the allegations first commenced in February 2022 after police received an initial report of rape. Partey was first arrested in connection with these allegations in July 2022. At that time, and throughout the subsequent investigation, he was not publicly named under UK law, which protects the privacy of suspects until they are formally charged.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorized the charges against Partey on Friday, July 4, 2025, after carefully reviewing the extensive evidence file compiled by the Metropolitan Police. Jaswant Narwal, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, confirmed the authorization of prosecution for multiple counts of rape following this review.
Partey, aged 32, is scheduled to make his first appearance in court to formally face these charges. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on August 5, 2025. This court appearance marks a significant step forward in the legal process.
Partey Maintains Innocence
Thomas Partey’s legal representation has been swift in addressing the charges. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, issued a statement confirming that Partey denies all the charges against him. The statement emphasized Partey’s full cooperation with both the police and the CPS throughout their three-year investigation.
According to his lawyer, Partey “now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.” However, due to the active nature of the legal proceedings, his lawyer stated that he is unable to comment further on the case at this time. The legal team’s position is clear: Partey asserts his innocence and intends to contest the allegations in court.
The CPS also issued a reminder that criminal proceedings are active. They stressed the fundamental principle that the defendant has the right to a fair trial. The public and media were reminded that any reporting, commentary, or online sharing of information that could prejudice these proceedings is absolutely vital to avoid.
Context of Arsenal Departure
The charges against Partey were publicly announced shortly after his contract with Arsenal Football Club came to an end. His deal expired on June 30, 2025, at which point he became a free agent. This timing meant the charges were made public just days after he officially departed the club.
Arsenal provided a brief statement regarding the situation. An Arsenal spokesman confirmed that the player’s contract had ended on June 30. The club added that, due to the ongoing legal proceedings, they were unable to comment on the case.
Partey spent five seasons with the North London club after joining from Spanish side Atlético Madrid in October 2020. The transfer fee was reportedly £45 million, a then-record for a Ghanaian player. Despite facing some injury challenges in his initial seasons, he became a crucial player for Arsenal, particularly during the 2022-23 campaign when they finished as Premier League runners-up.
Scrutiny Over Club’s Handling
Arsenal has faced considerable scrutiny regarding their decision to allow Partey to continue playing while he was under police investigation for serious allegations, including rape, following his initial arrest in July 2022. While club sources, speaking anonymously, maintained they followed legal advice and safeguarding protocols, this stance drew criticism.
The campaign group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence (ASASV) consistently protested the club’s position. They advocated for players under investigation for serious criminal offenses to be suspended pending the outcome of investigations. Legal experts also voiced concerns, suggesting that allowing a player facing such allegations to continue their professional life sent the wrong message.
Comparisons have been drawn to other high-profile cases in English football. For instance, former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy was suspended by his club after being charged with multiple counts of rape, although he had played during the initial investigation period. Adam Johnson continued playing for Sunderland after being charged with sexual activity with a minor, only being sacked after pleading guilty. In contrast, another professional footballer arrested in July 2021 on suspicion of child sex offences was suspended by his club shortly after his arrest and remained unavailable throughout his bail period, despite no action ultimately being taken against him. This highlights varying approaches by clubs when players face serious allegations during ongoing investigations.
Reports also indicated that Arsenal was discussing a contract extension with Partey as recently as April, despite their apparent awareness of the police investigation, further fueling criticism from some quarters. Ultimately, talks over a new deal reached an impasse, reportedly over proposed slightly reduced terms, leading to his departure. Christian Nørgaard from Brentford was subsequently signed by Arsenal, seen by many as a replacement in midfield.
Player Profile and Future
Thomas Partey made 167 appearances for Arsenal over his five seasons, scoring nine goals. In his final season (2023-24), he made 52 appearances across all competitions, featuring prominently in their Premier League title challenge and Champions League run. He has been a key player for the Ghana national team, earning 52 caps and scoring nine goals since 2016. He missed recent international fixtures following what were described as “confidential” discussions with the national coach.
Before Arsenal, Partey had a distinguished career at Atlético Madrid, making nearly 200 appearances and contributing to their 2018 Europa League win and reaching the 2016 Champions League final. He originally moved to Europe from Ghana at age 18, spending time on loan at Leganés, Mallorca, and Almería before establishing himself in the Atlético first team.
As a free agent, Partey is legally permitted to seek a new club. Recent reports linked him with potential moves to prominent European sides like Juventus and Barcelona, as well as Turkish club Fenerbahce. However, any potential employer will undoubtedly be aware of the extremely serious criminal charges he now faces in the United Kingdom. The case is highly likely to proceed to trial, though it is improbable that a trial would begin before 2026.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, leading the police investigation, reiterated the authorities’ primary focus. He stated, “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.” Police are continuing to ask anyone potentially impacted by this case, or who possesses relevant information, to come forward and contact their team via a dedicated email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges does Thomas Partey face?
Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, has been charged with a total of six offenses by London’s Metropolitan Police. These comprise five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges relate to incidents that allegedly involved three different women and occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time as an Arsenal player.
When is Thomas Partey’s first court appearance?
Thomas Partey is scheduled to make his initial court appearance to formally face the charges on August 5, 2025. This hearing will take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. This court date follows the formal authorization of the charges by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on July 4, 2025, concluding a three-year police investigation.
Why did the media not name Thomas Partey in connection with the allegations earlier?
Under United Kingdom law, individuals who are suspects in a criminal investigation generally have a right to privacy. Their names are typically not published by the media in connection with the allegations until they are formally charged by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service. Although Thomas Partey was first arrested in July 2022, he was not publicly named until the CPS authorized the charges against him in July 2025, which met the legal threshold for publication.
In conclusion, the charges against Thomas Partey represent a major development following a lengthy investigation. While the former Arsenal star denies the allegations and seeks to clear his name, the legal process is now moving forward with his scheduled court appearance in August.
