Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The 32-year-old Ghana international appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning, less than 12 hours after playing in Villarreal’s 1–0 Champions League defeat to Tottenham.

Prosecutors allege Partey raped two women on separate occasions and sexually assaulted a third. He denies all six charges.

During the brief hearing, Partey confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his pleas. Dressed in black trousers, a quarter-zip jumper, and a blue jacket, he listened as Judge Christopher Hehir scheduled a trial for November 2, 2026. The judge noted the delay was due to a significant court backlog, with priority given to defendants currently in custody.

Partey was charged shortly after leaving Arsenal in June, when his contract expired. He signed with Villarreal in August, a move that drew protests from sections of the fanbase.

The midfielder remains on bail under strict conditions, including a ban on contacting the three complainants. His legal team has said he “denies all the charges” and intends to clear his name at trial.