Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail after appearing in a London court on rape and sexual assault charges.
The 32-year-old Ghana international is accused of five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third, with the alleged offences taking place between 2021 and 2022.
Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired at the end of June, and he was formally charged on July 4. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, stated that he “denies all the charges.”
As part of his bail conditions, he cannot contact the women involved and must notify police of international travel or address changes.
Court discussions hinted at a potential move to Spanish club Villarreal, with the chief magistrate noting that Partey was “no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.”
Meanwhile, the group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence expressed their “profound disappointment” in the club’s handling of the situation.
A spokesperson for the group, Honour Barber, criticized the “wall of silence” from the club and called for them to suspend anyone under investigation for sexual offenses.
Partey is due to appear at London’s Old Bailey court on September 2. An Arsenal spokesperson previously stated the club could not comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
