Everything we know about Partey's rape charges from court date to lawyer comment

Despite being charged with several counts of rape and one of sexual assault, former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to play for Villarreal in the Champions League

As Tottenham prepare to face Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, all eyes will be on one player in the Spanish side's squad: Thomas Partey. The 32-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, who only recently left Arsenal after five seasons, is expected to feature despite facing serious charges of rape and sexual assault.

The allegations, which date back to his time in north London, have cast a shadow over what should be an exciting new chapter in his career. With his next court date looming (Wednesday, September 17), Partey's potential inclusion in the line-up raises questions about the ongoing legal process and its implications.

Here, Mirror Football breaks down everything we know so far - from the nature of the charges to the bail conditions that allow him to play on. It's a complex and sensitive situation, and it's important to remember that Partey denies all wrongdoing.

Who is Thomas Partey?

Thomas Partey is a powerhouse midfielder known for his tenacity, energy and versatile passing. Born in Ghana in 1993, he joined the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid in 2012 before breaking into the first team a year later. He would go on to make nearly 200 appearances for the club, lifting the Europa League and La Liga titles under Diego Simeone.

In October 2020, Arsenal spent £45million to bring him to the Emirates Stadium. Over 167 appearances, Partey scored nine goals and became a key figure in Mikel Arteta's squad, helping the Gunners establish themselves as regular Premier League title challengers.

His Arsenal contract expired in June earlier this year, and after weeks of speculation the Ghanaian international signed a one-year deal with Villarreal - a move that came two days after his first court appearance following multiple charges of rape and one of sexual assault, charges which he denies.

What are the charges?

Partey faces six charges in total: five counts of rape against two women and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, during the height of his Arsenal career.

The Metropolitan Police investigation began in February 2022, after the first report of rape was made. Partey was arrested in July that year but was not publicly identified at the time. He voluntarily attended interviews multiple times - in November 2024, March 2025, and earlier - while continuing to play for Arsenal. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges on July 31, 2025, just a month after his departure from the club.

Court dates and proceedings

Partey's first court appearance was on August 5, 2025, at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London. The hearing lasted just 15 minutes. Partey spoke only to confirm details such as his name, date of birth and address, and was not required to enter a plea.

He was then released on conditional bail, the specifics of which have not been publicly disclosed but appear to permit international travel and football participation.

The case was committed to the Crown Court for a full trial, with the next hearing set for September 17 at Southwark Crown Court, a day after Villarreal's clash with Tottenham.

Lawyer comments

His legal team, represented by Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose solicitors, issued a statement on July 4 - the day after charges were filed.

"Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him," Wiltshire said. "He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."

Arsenal have remained relatively tight-lipped about the situation. A club spokesman told media outlets: "The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case."

Why is he allowed to play football?

Partey's conditional bail allows him to relocate to Villarreal and feature in matches. He's already made three La Liga appearances for his new club this season and is now preparing to make his first Champions League appearance for them.

Partey can play because conditional bail preserves his freedom to work and travel, and football's governing bodies treat such cases as non-disciplinary until conviction. If convicted, he would face severe consequences, including imprisonment and potential lifetime bans from the sport under FIFA's integrity codes.

What is Villarreal's stance?

Villarreal manager Marcelino has praised Partey's professionalism since joining, insisting he is "mentally prepared and technically prepared to play" against Tottenham, in spite of his looming court appearance.

"I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow night," the Spanish coach said. "For sure he will be ready. We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human.

"He is a great player with a lot of experience. He has played for a lot of top clubs. We know he has a great level. I think he will get back to a top level. I am very happy he is with us in the team."

Pressed further on if he had spoken to Partey about the level of hostility he might expect on Tuesday night, Marcelino replied: "We're interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent.

"We're playing a game of football tomorrow, where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented after all. Do you understand me? Thank you."

Marcelino refused to disclose whether or not Partey would be included in his matchday squad, but insisted he was "available" for selection. "He is with the group, he is available, and tomorrow, if nothing happens to a player in terms of fitness, he will be with all of us," Marcelino added. "We are talking more about Thomas than the game."