Thomas Partey plays in London hours before appearing in Court on rape and assault charges

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to stand before a London court today on rape and sexual assault charges, only hours after featuring in Villarreal’s Champions League match against Tottenham.

The 32-year-old Ghana international returned to north London on Tuesday night, making a late substitute appearance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Villarreal’s European campaign began with a 1-0 defeat, secured by Spurs just four minutes into the game. Partey entered from the bench with 12 minutes left but was unable to change the outcome.

Today, his focus shifts from the pitch to the courtroom. He will attend Southwark Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The appearance comes less than six weeks after he stood before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August.

Partey faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously confirmed that he denies all allegations.

The Metropolitan Police said the case stems from a complaint first made in February 2022. Following an investigation, charges were formally brought in July 2025. The timing was notable: he was charged just four days after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June.

During his four-year spell at the Emirates, Partey established himself as a regular starter, having joined from Atletico Madrid in 2020. He made 35 appearances in his final season with the Gunners before departing in the summer. An Arsenal spokesperson commented at the time: “The player’s contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”

Despite the ongoing charges, Villarreal signed him last month. Under the conditions of his bail, Partey remains free to play professional football but is subject to strict restrictions. He must notify police in advance of any international travel and is banned from contacting the complainants.

The midfielder has made several appearances for the Spanish side since joining, but Tuesday’s fixture was his first in England since the charges were filed. His brief appearance attracted attention as it coincided directly with his pending court date.

Legal experts say today’s hearing will establish his plea and set a timeline for trial proceedings. If the case goes forward, it is expected to dominate headlines for months, given Partey’s high profile in European football and the seriousness of the allegations.

The midfielder, once a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield, now finds his career overshadowed by the charges. His swift return to English soil for a match before entering the dock highlights the extraordinary circumstances surrounding his situation.

For Villarreal, his availability is subject not to footballing form but to legal constraints. While he continues to train and play, his future remains clouded. The case has already sparked debate about whether football clubs should sign players under such conditions.

As supporters debated his return to the London pitch, attention today shifts to Southwark Crown Court. The proceedings will be closely followed not only in England but in Spain and Ghana, where Partey remains a prominent national figure.

The inquiry into his conduct began more than three years ago. Now, as the case reaches a pivotal stage, the midfielder faces the dual reality of Champions League football and a looming trial over some of the most serious charges any player has faced in recent years.