Ghanaian international soccer player Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual abuse, as confirmed by police in the United Kingdom on Friday. This shocking news comes as Partey's contract with Premier League club Arsenal expired earlier this week. He is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on August 5, where he will face these serious allegations.
The charges against the 32-year-old footballer stem from accusations made by three women, relating to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2022. According to the British police, they have been conducting an investigation since February 2022. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London’s Metropolitan Police emphasized that the priority remains to provide support to the women who have come forward with their allegations. He urged anyone affected by this case or possessing relevant information to reach out to their department.
In response to the serious charges, Thomas Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, stated that her client denies all allegations against him. She highlighted that Partey has cooperated fully with the police throughout the investigation. Wiltshire expressed that he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name in court.
Born and raised in the town of Krobo Odumase, just outside Accra, Ghana, Thomas Partey has had a remarkable career in professional soccer. He moved to Spain in 2012, where he joined Atletico Madrid. Over his tenure there, Partey made a significant impact, appearing in 188 matches and scoring 16 goals. His talents helped the team win the Europa League in 2018. Despite transferring to Arsenal for a fee of €50 million (approximately $59 million) earlier in the 2020 season, he also received a La Liga winners medal in 2021.
Since joining Arsenal, Thomas Partey has made 167 appearances, contributing nine goals as the team finished second in the Premier League for the last three seasons. Additionally, Partey has been a key player for the Ghanaian national team, making his international debut in June 2016. He has since earned 53 caps for the Black Stars, scoring 15 goals and being named Ghana’s player of the year in both 2017 and 2018.
As this situation develops, the football community and fans alike will be closely monitoring the proceedings. The outcome of the court case will not only affect Partey's career but could also have broader implications for the sport regarding issues of sexual misconduct.
Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah
