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Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s scheduled hearing at the Old Bailey has been adjourned without explanation, further prolonging legal proceedings against the Ghanaian international.
Partey, now playing for Spanish side Villarreal, faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three women. According to the Metropolitan Police, the alleged offences occurred between 2021 and 2022. He has strongly denied all charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the first complaint was lodged in February 2022. The 32-year-old previously appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was granted bail on condition that he refrains from contacting the complainants.
The case, initially set for September 2, has now been rescheduled for September 17 at Southwark Crown Court, just a day after Villarreal’s Champions League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur in London.
Partey’s move to Villarreal in August was met with widespread backlash from fans, with petitions launched against the transfer and boos directed at him during his debut match. Despite the controversy, he has already made three appearances in La Liga.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig defended the decision to sign the midfielder, emphasizing the presumption of innocence.
“The player is undergoing legal proceedings and maintains his innocence,” Roig said. “At this moment, Partey is as innocent as the rest of us. A fundamental right like this must be respected.”
While condemning all forms of violence, Roig urged supporters to back the team and allow the courts to decide the outcome.
Meanwhile, Partey is expected to feature for Ghana’s Black Stars in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad on September 4 and Mali on September 8.
