Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The former Arsenal footballer, who wore a black jumper and carried a navy blazer, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
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The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 when he was under contract at Arsenal.
The Ghanaian is currently a free agent after his five-year spell with the Gunners ended following the expiration of his deal on June 30.
The 32-year-old had been in talks over agreeing fresh terms at the Emirates Stadium, but a contract extension never materialised.
On July 4, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies all charges.
talkSPORT understands the midfielder has since undergone a medical at Spanish club Villarreal and is expected to sign a two-year deal.
What are the charges against Thomas Partey?
On July 4, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Partey with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, against three different women.
The five counts of rape relate to two complainants, while the sexual assault allegation is said to have been committed against a third woman.
All of the incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. Partey denies all charges against him.
A statement from Partey’s lawyer 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.”
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Why couldn’t Thomas Partey be named before he was charged?
Under UK law, alleged victims of sexual crimes are entitled to lifetime anonymity. This is a legal obligation.
In February 2022, the UK Supreme Court ruled that a person under criminal investigation has a reasonable expectation of privacy prior to a charge.
UK courts generally consider that there is no public interest in knowing what someone is being investigated for or has been arrested for unless there is a point of charge.
It is why broadcasters and news organisations have not publicly named or linked Partey with the alleged offences until now.
However, social media posts regularly linked Partey with the allegations, with references to his police investigation heard inside football stadiums when he was playing.
That is why Partey’s lawyer suggested, following the announcement of the CPS’s charges, that it was a chance for her client to “finally clear his name”.
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What happened when Thomas Partey appeared at court?
Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5.
He confirmed his name and address and was granted conditional bail.
His bail conditions include that he cannot contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.
As bail conditions were discussed in court, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said: “I understand he’s no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”
Partey is due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 2.
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How can Thomas Partey join Villarreal?
Partey was granted conditional bail when he appeared at a court hearing in London on Tuesday – with his new club set to face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates on Wednesday.
A deal through to the summer of 2027 has been agreed with Villarreal.
talkSPORT understands that, as Partey was bailed post charges, he is free to pursue his career, with his trial unlikely to start for months.
Being accused or under investigation for any offence is not a stopping block from being able to sign for a La Liga club.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is currently waiting for the player’s registration to be made official.
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What have Arsenal said about Thomas Partey?
The defensive midfielder joined Arsenal in October 2020, triggering his £45m release clause from Atletico Madrid to complete the transfer.
In total, he went on to spend five seasons in north London and made a total of 167 appearances.
108 of those came from the 2022/23 season onwards across all competitions.
Following his arrest and subsequent police investigation, Partey played away fixtures in the Champions League for Arsenal.
His final appearance in Europe was in France against Paris Saint-Germain on May 7.
Partey last played for Arsenal on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season away to Southampton on May 25.
Following the charges, Arsenal released a statement that read: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
During the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, manager Mikel Arteta also briefly spoke about the news of Partey’s charges.
He said: “The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.”
Pushed on whether he was confident the club followed the correct processes, Arteta replied: “100 per cent.”
