Former Arsenal and Ghana international midfielder Thomas Partey has officially been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
According to the CPS, the charges stem from a series of alleged incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2022, during the period when Partey was an active player for Premier League side Arsenal Football Club.
The reported offences are believed to involve multiple incidents and are alleged to have taken place across different dates and locations, though authorities have not released specific details regarding the identities of the complainants or the exact circumstances due to legal sensitivities and ongoing investigations.
A spokesperson for the CPS stated:
“The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges against Thomas Partey for five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. These decisions were made after a thorough review of the evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police.”
Partey, 31, transferred to Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 in a high-profile £45 million deal. Known for his physical presence and passing ability in midfield, he was widely regarded as a key player during his tenure in North London. However, injuries and inconsistent form impacted his playing time throughout the 2021–2022 seasons — the same period during which the alleged offences are said to have occurred.
The footballer’s legal team has not publicly responded to the charges as of the time of reporting. Meanwhile, Arsenal Football Club has yet to issue an official statement, though the matter is likely to prompt significant scrutiny given the nature of the allegations.
It remains unclear at this stage whether Partey, who recently completed a move away from Arsenal, will return to the UK to face the charges or how the legal proceedings will be scheduled.
More updates will follow as the case develops.