Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has firmly denied allegations of rape and sexual assault leveled against him in the UK.
The former Arsenal star appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, during his spell in the Premier League.
Partey, 32, was charged just four days after leaving Arsenal at the end of June, following the expiration of his contract.
Now with Spanish side Villarreal, the midfielder returned to England this week for his club’s Champions League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, where he featured as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat.
At the hearing, Partey confirmed his identity before formally entering his pleas. He was granted bail until his trial, scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on 2 November next year.
Under his bail conditions, Partey is permitted to continue playing football but must inform police 24 hours before any international travel and is prohibited from contacting the complainants.
