New Rape Charges Filed Against Partey Amid Ongoing Legal Issues

omidbasir- The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized two new counts of rape against footballer Thomas Partey. An official statement indicated that these charges are connected to a separate report of non-recent offenses from 2020 involving an additional woman, following a renewed investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The allegations were first reported in August 2025.

Thomas Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 13, 2026. In a previous court appearance at Southwark Crown Court in September 2025, the Ghanaian international pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault.

The alleged offenses occurred between 2021 and 2022, a period after Partey signed with Arsenal in October 2020. At that time, he was a regular starter for the Gunners, making 167 appearances for the Premier League club over five seasons.

Partey was charged four days after his contract with Arsenal ended in the summer of 2025. He is currently out on bail and is due to face trial concerning the original allegations on November 2, 2026.

The bail conditions do not prevent Partey from participating in professional football; however, he is prohibited from contacting any of the complainants and must inform the police of any international travel at least 24 hours prior to his departure.

He is expected to travel to North America this summer for the 2026 World Cup. With 56 international caps, Partey remains part of Ghana’s squad, which is set to compete against England in Boston on June 23.

However, Partey’s club performance has been under scrutiny during the 2025-26 campaign. Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral commented on the stark contrast between the Thomas Partey of Arsenal and the current player, stating, “I think there’s a world of difference between the Thomas we knew at Arsenal and this one. A world of difference.”

Garcia Toral added, “It’s very difficult to play at this pace in today’s football. So, I think it’s been six months now, and that’s enough time for this player to show us what he was or what he’s showing now.”

Partey recently signed a one-year contract upon joining Villarreal, which is set to expire at the end of June.