Complaints making allegations about Thomas Partey were raised with Arsenal, the FA, and Premier League ‘almost a YEAR’ before he was arrested, it is claimed

Complaints about Thomas Partey were flagged with Arsenal, the FA, and the Premier League almost a year before his arrest, according to The Telegraph.

Partey was last week charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault and is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022.

He was first arrested in July 2022 but The Telegraph claims to have seen definitive evidence that Arsenal, the FA, and the Premier League were aware of concerns as early as September 2021.

Reportedly, no formal investigation was launched in the wake of that, because they fell outside the FA’s safeguarding responsibility for adults and minors ‘at risk’ in the sport. 

According to the FA’s safeguarding framework, their strategy involves ‘ensuring safeguarding, child protection and adult at risk concerns are investigated swiftly and thoroughly in conjunction with statutory agencies – and with demonstrable outcomes.’

But the FA, having discussed the situation with Arsenal, told the potential witnesses that they fell outside its remit, as per The Telegraph. 

The FA are the first point of contact for safeguarding issues, while the Premier League does not have the power to make initial decisions.  

Mail Sport has contacted Arsenal and the FA for comment. The Premier League chose not to comment due to the live nature of proceedings. 

The charges against Partey follow a three year investigation by Scotland Yard and came just five days after his Arsenal contract expired on June 30. 

He is currently without a club after five Premier League seasons at the Emirates.

The Ghanaian international midfielder is accused of five counts of rape. Two counts of rape relate to one woman and three counts of rape relate to a second woman.

The one count of sexual assault relates to a third woman. None of the alleged victims can be named. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said the charges came after it ‘carefully reviewed a comprehensive file of evidence’.

Partey ‘denies all the charges against him’ and ‘welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name’, his lawyer said this afternoon.

The Metropolitan Police said the investigation into Thomas Partey began in February 2022 after officers first received a report of rape.

He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.

He played more than 50 games for Arsenal while on bail, it has emerged.

In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, of Hickman and Rose, said: ‘Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.

‘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.’

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

‘We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk’.