Former Arsenal football player Thomas Partey has been accused of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police, who announced the news on July 4, 2025.
These accusations involve three women and relate to events that are said to have happened between 2021 and 2022. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) explained that two of the rape charges involve one woman, three charges involve another woman, and one sexual assault charge involves a third woman.
Partey, who is 32 years old, is scheduled to appear in court at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, 2025. This comes just days after his contract with Arsenal ended on June 30, making him a free agent.
The charges are the result of a three-year investigation that began in February 2022. There has been a lot of focus on how Arsenal managed the situation since they allowed Partey to play during the investigation.
The investigation started after a report of rape was made in February 2022. The Metropolitan Police stated that their main goal is to support the women who came forward and encouraged anyone with more information to reach out to them.
Jaswant Narwal from the CPS spoke about the careful review of evidence, saying, “Our prosecutors worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to determine the right charges.” The CPS also warned against unfair reporting to ensure a fair trial, given that the case is of great public interest.
Partey, who represents Ghana in international games, joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million. He was an important player for Arsenal, playing 52 times in his last season with the team, which finished second in the Premier League.
However, his time at Arsenal has been troubled by earlier claims. In July 2022, Partey was arrested on suspicion of rape, but after multiple extensions of his bail, no further action was taken for an incident from June 2021 due to legal reasons.
Arsenal’s choice to keep playing Partey has faced criticism from groups like Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, who protested his continued selection.
Lawyer Dino Nocivelli told The Telegraph that letting Partey play sends “the wrong message” given the seriousness of the allegations.
The club has not commented on the matter, which has led to complaints about them putting team success before ethics, especially after negotiations for a contract extension failed in June 2025.
Comparisons to other cases, such as Mason Greenwood’s suspension by Manchester United, show how responses to such allegations in football can vary widely.
The charges against Partey are part of larger conversations about accountability in sports, as his case raises important questions about how clubs handle players who are under investigation.
Meanwhile, Kenya is also facing its own political issues under President Ruto, making the attention on Partey’s case significant in discussions about sports, justice, and public trust.
