Arsenal's former player, Thomas Partey, granted temporary freedom until September
Thomas Partey Appears in Court, Denies Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations
Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal footballer, faced five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault in a London court on August 5, 2025. The allegations involve three separate women.
Partey, who wore a black zip-neck jumper during his court appearance, denies all the charges against him. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, stated that he welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.
Following his court appearance, he was granted conditional bail with restrictions. He is required to have no contact with the alleged victims and to notify the police of any changes to his address or travel plans.
The allegations pertain to incidents that allegedly took place between 2021 and 2022, during Partey’s tenure at Arsenal. His contract with the club expired on June 30, 2025, and the club did not extend his contract amid the charges.
Afterward, Thomas Partey finalized a proposed move to Spanish side Villarreal. The contract lasts for one year with an option to extend by another year. The move will allow him to play in the Champions League next season.
Villarreal publicly respected the presumption of innocence while condemning any form of violence and stated they await the judicial process outcome. Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, however, held up a banner outside Westminster Magistrates' Court accusing Arsenal of failing to take action over Partey.
Partey is scheduled for a hearing at the Old Bailey court in London on September 2, 2025.
[1] BBC News, "Thomas Partey appears in court over rape and sexual assault charges," August 5, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58173370 [2] Sky Sports, "Thomas Partey granted conditional bail over rape and sexual assault charges," August 5, 2025, https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11683/12316373/thomas-partey-granted-conditional-bail-over-rape-and-sexual-assault-charges [3] The Guardian, "Thomas Partey charged with rape and sexual assault," July 28, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/28/thomas-partey-charged-with-rape-and-sexual-assault
- Although Thomas Partey faces serious allegations in a London court, the European football leagues continue to discuss his potential impact on European football, particularly given his recent proposed move to Spanish side Villarreal.
- The entertainment industry has)… remain mostly silent on the Thomas Partey case, with a notable exception being Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, who have criticized the club for not taking swift action against the former footballer.
- Besides the court cases and the football world's reaction, general-news outlets have also followed the developments in the Thomas Partey case, shedding light on the high-profile celebrities who have voiced support or condemnation for the former Arsenal player.
- The ongoing crime-and-justice case involving Thomas Partey has received considerable attention in the UK and, given the alleged incidents' timeline during his tenure at Arsenal, has raised questions about the team's handling of such matters.
