When Thomas Partey will appear in court as ex-Arsenal player faces five counts of rape

As Tottenham prepare to face Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, attention will inevitably centre on one player: Thomas Partey. The 32-year-old midfielder from Ghana, who only recently left Arsenal after half a decade, is tipped to feature for the Spanish club against Spurs despite allegations of rape and sexual assault.

The claims have overshadowed what should have been a fresh beginning at his new club. With his next court date looming (Wednesday, September 17), Partey’s involvement raises questions about the ongoing legal process and its implications.

Here, football.london breaks down all the details – from the exact charges to the bail terms that allow him to continue playing. The matter is sensitive and complicated, and it’s important to stress that Partey denies all charges.

Who is Thomas Partey?

A physically dominant and versatile midfielder, Partey is recognised for his work rate, tenacity and distribution. Born in Ghana in 1993, he joined Atletico Madrid’s youth academy in 2012 and entered the senior squad the following year. He went on to make almost 200 appearances, collecting both a Europa League and La Liga crown under Diego Simeone.

Arsenal triggered his £45million buyout clause in October 2020. Across 167 matches in red and white, he scored nine goals and was central to Mikel Arteta’s project, playing a role in returning Arsenal to title contention.

His contract ended this June. Weeks later, he agreed a one-year contract with Villarreal, only two days after his first court appearance on several rape charges and one of sexual assault, charges he denies.

What are the charges?

In total, there are six charges: five instances of rape involving two women and an additional sexual assault claim by another. These alleged incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 while Partey was playing for Arsenal.

Police began investigating in February 2022 after the first complaint. He was arrested in July that year, though not named publicly. He subsequently attended voluntary interviews on several occasions, including November 2024 and March 2025, while still active for Arsenal. The CPS pressed charges on July 31, 2025, roughly one month after he left the club.

Court dates and proceedings

Partey’s first court appearance was on August 5, 2025, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The brief session lasted 15 minutes, during which he only confirmed basic details and was not asked to plead.

He was granted conditional bail. Although full restrictions were not released, it appears he is free to leave the UK and continue playing. The case has been escalated to Crown Court, with his next scheduled hearing at Southwark Crown Court on September 17 – the day after Villarreal face Spurs.

Statement from his lawyer

His solicitor, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, gave a statement on July 4. “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him,” she said. “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.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, have said very little. A spokesperson noted: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”

Why is he still allowed to play football?

Partey’s bail allows him to move to Spain and play in competitive fixtures. He has already appeared three times for Villarreal in La Liga and is preparing for his first Champions League outing with the team.

Partey can play because conditional bail preserves his freedom to work and travel, and football’s governing bodies treat such cases as non-disciplinary until conviction. If convicted, he would face severe consequences, including imprisonment and potential lifetime bans from the sport under FIFA’s integrity codes.

What is Villarreal’s stance?

Manager Marcelino has spoken positively about the midfielder’s impact, stating he is “mentally prepared and technically prepared to play” against Spurs even with his legal case ahead.

“I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow night,” said the coach. “For sure he will be ready. We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human.

“He is a great player with a lot of experience. He has played for a lot of top clubs. We know he has a great level. I think he will get back to a top level. I am very happy he is with us in the team.”

When asked about possible crowd hostility against Tottenham, Marcelino responded: “We’re interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent. We’re playing a game of football tomorrow, where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented after all. Do you understand me? Thank you.”

Marcelino stopped short of confirming whether Partey will be in the squad but stressed he was “available.” “He is with the group, he is available, and tomorrow, if nothing happens to a player in terms of fitness, he will be with all of us,” he added. “We are talking more about Thomas than the game.”