UK police charge Thomas Partey with rape

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

London Metropolitan Police disclosed this via a statement on Friday.

The charges relate to three women and the offences are reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022.

Partey is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

Partey, 32, was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.

The Ghana international spent five seasons at Arsenal after being signed in 2020 for £45 million but is now a free agent after his contract expired on Monday, June 30.

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He made 52 appearances for Arsenal last season across all competitions.

The Met Police said: “Two counts of rape relate to one woman, three counts of rape relate to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault relates to a third woman.

“The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which commenced in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape.”

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.”

Anyone who has information about the case, or has been impacted by it, is being asked to contact the Met Police.

The Star