Thomas Partey: Ex-Arsenal player due in court on rape charges - just hours after playing against Spurs

Ex-Arsenal player Thomas Partey is due to appear in court on rape and sexual assault charges today - hours after returning to north London for a Champions League match with new side Villarreal.

The Spanish team were in town to take on Tottenham in their first European match of the season, and Partey was introduced from the bench with 12 minutes to go.

The Ghana midfielder was met by a chorus of boos when he came on, less than a month after an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on 5 August.

He has been charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault. Lawyer Jenny Wiltshire has previously said Partey "denies all the charges against him".

Today's appearance at Southwark Crown Court is for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

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Partey, 32, was charged in July - just four days after leaving Arsenal following the expiration of his contract. He had joined the club from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.

An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: "The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case."

Why was Partey playing?

Villarreal signed him last month despite opposition from some of their fans, with the midfielder having been granted conditional bail.

He has made a handful of appearances since then.

Partey is not prevented from playing football, but must inform police of any international travel a day in advance, and must not contact the complainants.

Partey's appearance in Tuesday night's match - his first on English soil since being charged - had no bearing on the outcome, as Tottenham held on to a 1-0 lead taken just four minutes in.

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