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Former Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Crown Prosecution Service, following allegations by three women.
4 minutes
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The footballing world has been rocked by multiple sexual offence charges brought against Ghana international Thomas Partey. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, based on the testimonies of three different women.
In July 2022, news broke in the UK media that a Premier League footballer had been arrested over allegations of sexual assault. However, the player's identity was kept hidden from the public as the legal process unfolded. According to a report by The Guardian on 8 July 2022, a footballer had been questioned by the Metropolitan Police following a complaint by a woman in her 20s.
The investigation lasted nearly three years. Following an evaluation of the collected evidence, six charges were filed against the 32-year-old Partey, who will now appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court. His initial appearance before Westminster Magistrates’ Court is scheduled for Tuesday, 5 August 2025.
The CPS stated that the alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 and involved three different women. Partey is set to appear in court on Tuesday, 5 August 2025. The prosecution emphasised that the evidence had been carefully reviewed in coordination with the Metropolitan Police.
Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said in a statement:
“We have authorised charges against Thomas Partey for five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. This decision follows a thorough and careful review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police. The defendant has the right to a fair trial, and we therefore urge the public and media to avoid any reporting or commentary that could prejudice proceedings.”
Partey continued to play for Arsenal during the course of the investigation. In the 2024–25 season, he appeared in 52 matches across all competitions, starting in 45 of them. He scored three goals and contributed three assists. The club decided not to extend his contract as of 1 July 2025, making him a free agent. Neither Arsenal nor Partey’s representatives have issued a statement regarding the case.
Partey’s contract expired on 1 July 2025, and he left the club. His lawyers or representatives have not released any public statements, nor has Arsenal issued an official comment. There has been no reaction from club sources or coaching staff reported by the press.
Given the public response and the principle of the rule of law, the case is expected to influence not only Partey’s career but also wider societal attitudes in the UK towards similar cases. Developments are being closely monitored.
The charges have made headlines not only in the UK but also in Ghana, Partey’s country of birth. The Ghanaian media and football community expressed shock over the serious allegations involving a player who has long been a national team regular. The Ghana Football Association has stated that it will not make any comments until the legal proceedings are complete.
Sexual offence trials in England often involve thorough but sometimes lengthy legal procedures. A 2024 UK Parliament report revealed that Crown Courts were handling 11,574 sexual offence cases, with thousands still awaiting resolution, sometimes for years.
A Guardian article dated 6 December 2024 highlighted how numerous rape cases collapsed due to prolonged court delays, with many victims abandoning hopes for justice. As of June 2024, 3,656 individuals were awaiting trial specifically in adult rape cases, according to The Guardian.
Under UK law, rape is among the most serious offences, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. According to Sentencing Council guidelines, prison terms generally range from 4 to 15 years. In cases involving multiple victims, or what is described as “campaign-style” rapes, sentences exceeding 20 years are often imposed.
