Former Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Additional Rape Charges: What We Know So Far
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, currently playing for Villarreal, is facing two new counts of rape, in addition to previous allegations. Learn more about the case and the latest developments.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has been charged with two new counts of rape. The 32-year-old, who severed ties with the Gunners in the summer of 2025 when reaching the end of his contract and becoming a free agent, faces trial in November after denying allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.The Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised two additional counts of rape against Partey. An official statement reads: “These new charges relate to a separate report of non-recent offences in 2020 involving one additional woman and follow a new investigation by the Metropolitan Police. These allegations were first reported in August 2025.”The new allegations will see Partey appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 13. During an appearance at Southwark Crown Court in September 2025, the Ghana international pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault.Those alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, with Partey having signed for Arsenal in October 2020. He was a first-team regular for the Gunners at the time, with 167 appearances for the Premier League club being taken in across five seasons.Partey was charged four days after his contract with Arsenal came to an end in the summer of 2025. He is currently on bail and is due to face trial over the original allegations on November 2, 2026.The conditions of Partey’s bail do not prevent him from playing professional football. He is barred from contacting any of the complainants and must notify police of any international travel 24 hours prior to his departure.He is due to head to North America this summer for the 2026 World Cup. With 56 international caps to his name, Partey remains part of Ghana’s squad. They are set to face England in Boston on June 23.His club form has not been the best during the 2025-26 campaign, with Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Toral saying of a player that has struggled to justify the faith shown in him: “I think there's a world of difference between the Thomas we knew at Arsenal and this one. A world of difference.”He said of Partey early in the season, with performance levels expected to improve: “It's very difficult to play at this pace in today's football. So, I think it's been six months now, and that's enough time for this player to show us what he was or what he's showing now.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingPartey signed a one-year contract when joining Villarreal, with those terms set to expire at the end of June.
New Charges and Legal Proceedings
Former Arsenal star Thomas Partey, now playing for Villarreal, is embroiled in a legal battle as he faces two new counts of rape. These charges come in addition to previous allegations, following a new investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Partey, who denied the allegations, is set to appear in court for the new charges on Friday, March 13. The Ghana international had already pleaded not guilty to previous charges of rape and sexual assault during a court appearance in September 2025.
Background and Allegations
The allegations against Thomas Partey date back to 2020 and involve multiple women. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized the new counts of rape based on reports of non-recent offenses. The 32-year-old midfielder, who ended his contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2025, has been on bail and is due to face trial over the original allegations in November 2026. Despite the legal proceedings, Partey is not restricted from playing professional football, and he is expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup with Ghana.
Club Form and Player Disappointment
While Thomas Partey has had a successful career with Arsenal, his form with Villarreal has not been as impressive. Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Toral expressed disappointment in Partey's performance, noting that there has been a noticeable decline in his playing standards. As Partey continues to navigate legal challenges, questions arise about his ability to deliver on the pitch and meet expectations both at club and international levels.





