In a shocking development, former Arsenal midfield maestro Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The serious allegations involve incidents reported by three separate women between 2021 and 2022. Partey is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 5 August.
The CPS confirmed that Partey faces:
- Two counts of rape involving one woman
- Three counts of rape involving a second woman
- One count of sexual assault involving a third woman
Jaswant Narwal of the CPS emphasized that criminal proceedings are now active and that Partey, like anyone else, has the right to a fair trial. Authorities have urged the public and media to refrain from sharing content that could prejudice the case.
For football fans, this is a stunning fall from grace. Partey, born in Krobo Odumase, Ghana, was once one of the most admired defensive midfielders in Europe.
He rose through Atlético Madrid’s ranks, helped them lift the Europa League in 2018 and La Liga in 2021, and became a key signing for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal project in 2020 for £45 million.
Despite battling injuries, Partey anchored Arsenal’s midfield in their intense title races with Manchester City and Liverpool.
His final season saw him feature a remarkable 52 times as Arsenal chased silverware across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League. With 53 caps and 15 goals for Ghana, he had built an impressive legacy on the pitch.
But this news has stunned the footballing world.
It’s a moment that sadly mirrors the case of Dani Alves, another footballer who recently received 4.5 years in prison for sexual assault.
What a shocking twist in the career of a player who once bossed midfields across Europe. Football gives, but life off the pitch can take it all away.
