July 04, (THEWILL) — Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a lengthy investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
The 32-year-old, whose identity was previously withheld for legal reasons, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 5. His contract with Arsenal expired at the end of June, and he had continued to play for the club during the investigation.
The charges relate to alleged incidents involving three different women, all of which reportedly occurred between 2021 and 2022.
The initial complaint was filed in February 2022, prompting an investigation that spanned more than three years. Partey has not publicly commented on the charges, and his legal representatives have not issued a statement.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Thursday that it had authorised charges following a detailed review of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape — after carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence.
“Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers in the Metropolitan Police who have carried out the investigation,” said Jaswant Narwal of the CPS.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who led the police inquiry, stated that the safety and welfare of the complainants remained a priority.
“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team,” he said.
No further details about the complainants have been disclosed.
The CPS issued a reminder to the public regarding the active status of the case and the importance of a fair trial.
“We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but there must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings,” Narwal added.
Legal restrictions remain in place, and media outlets have been warned to adhere strictly to court reporting guidelines.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
