Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been officially charged with multiple sexual offences by the Metropolitan Police, following an investigation into alleged incidents involving three women. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed on Friday that it had authorised the charges after reviewing evidence submitted by detectives. Partey, 32, is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault for incidents said to have occurred in London between 2021 and 2022.
The charges come just days after Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired. He is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5. The case is being handled by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who stressed that the police’s priority remains supporting the victims and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Partey began his professional football career at Atlético Madrid in 2013, before moving to Arsenal in 2020 in a £45 million deal, the highest ever for a Ghanaian player. During his time with Atlético, he won the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup in 2018 and featured in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final.
Internationally, Partey has been a key figure for Ghana, representing the national team in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2017, 2019, 2021) and at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the CAF Team of the Year in 2018 and was awarded Ghana Player of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.
The serious nature of the allegations has cast a shadow over Partey’s achievements on the pitch. As legal proceedings begin, the case is expected to draw significant public and media attention in both the UK and Ghana. Further updates will follow as the case progresses through the courts.