Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, has been formally charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in the United Kingdom. The charges, authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service, include five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. These charges relate to allegations from three different women, with the reported offenses occurring between 2021 and 2022.
The Metropolitan Police Service has been investigating the allegations since February 2022, following an initial report of rape. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, affirmed that providing support to the women who have come forward remains the top priority. The police are encouraging anyone who has information about the case or has been impacted by it to contact them.
Partey, aged 32, whose contract with Arsenal recently expired, is scheduled to appear at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5, 2025.
The charges are broken down as follows: two counts of rape relate to one woman, three counts of rape relate to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relates to a third woman.
Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, has stated that he denies all the charges against him.
Prior to these charges, Partey was first arrested in July 2022, although he was not publicly named at the time. Despite the ongoing investigation, he continued to play for Arsenal.
Jaswant Narwal, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, emphasized that the decision to prosecute Thomas Partey was made after a careful review of a comprehensive file of evidence. Narwal also stressed the importance of avoiding any reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online that could prejudice the proceedings, as Partey has the right to a fair trial.
The Crown Prosecution Service has reminded the public that it is not their role to determine guilt but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider. Victims of sexual offenses are legally entitled to lifelong anonymity in the press and any other publication, which includes social media.
Partey, a Ghanaian international, joined Arsenal in October 2020 from Atletico Madrid for a reported 50 million euros (approximately $59 million) and quickly became a key player for the team.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates are expected as the case progresses through the legal system.