Ghana’s Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Offence Charges in UK

Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple sexual offence charges during a court appearance in the United Kingdom, a development that has attracted global attention given his high-profile status in international football. The 32-year-old Villarreal player appeared before Judge Christopher Hehir at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he was formally arraigned on five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Prosecutors allege that the offences took place between April 2021 and June 2022, a period when Partey was contracted to Premier League side Arsenal. The charges involve three different women. During the brief hearing, Partey, smartly dressed in a dark suit, confirmed his identity and listened as the charges were read aloud. He then firmly denied the allegations by entering not-guilty pleas to all counts. No evidence was presented during the session, but the court fixed a full trial to begin on 2 November 2026, with proceedings expected to last several weeks due to the complexity of the case. The midfielder was granted conditional bail ahead of trial. Conditions attached include restrictions on contacting the complainants and obligations to notify the authorities about any change of address or overseas travel. Partey’s appearance in court came just hours after he featured in Villarreal’s Champions League fixture in London, a fact that drew widespread media coverage. His presence on the pitch was met with a mixed response from fans, with reports indicating that sections of the crowd jeered when he was introduced as a substitute. Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020 in a high-profile transfer from Atlético Madrid before leaving at the end of last season to sign for Villarreal, remains one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers. He has been a central figure for the Ghana national team, playing pivotal roles in both the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup campaigns. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Villarreal’s management has maintained that Partey remains eligible for selection until the legal process runs its course. Manager Marcelino has previously emphasised the importance of distinguishing between the footballing commitments of the player and the ongoing judicial proceedings. Reactions to the development have been sharply divided. Supporters of Partey argue that the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” must be upheld, while advocacy groups and some football fans have expressed concern about the optics of allowing a player facing such grave allegations to continue playing at the highest level. Legal commentators have also stressed that a not-guilty plea represents a formal denial, with the ultimate verdict resting on the trial process. The case is scheduled to return to court for procedural hearings in the months ahead, as both the prosecution and defence prepare their arguments. With Partey’s career, reputation, and freedom at stake, the forthcoming trial is expected to draw significant attention from sports followers, legal observers, and the wider public in both the UK and Ghana.