Fresh legal troubles have surfaced for former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is now facing two additional rape charges.
The 32-year-old Ghana international is already scheduled to stand trial in November after rejecting allegations that he raped two women and sexually assaulted another. Prosecutors have since expanded the case, with the Crown Prosecution Service approving two more rape counts linked to the ongoing investigation, The Telegraph reported.
Partey is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 13, to answer the new accusations.
The midfielder previously entered not guilty pleas to five rape charges and one sexual assault charge during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court in September last year. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, a period when Partey was a regular starter for Arsenal. Formal charges were brought against him four days after his contract with the Premier League side expired at the end of June.
Currently out on bail, Partey is preparing to face trial on November 2. He has since continued his club career in Spain with Villarreal. While his bail terms allow him to keep playing professional football, he is required to inform police at least 24 hours before any international travel and is prohibited from contacting the complainants involved in the case.
Despite the legal proceedings, Partey remains an important figure for Ghana’s national team, which is set to meet England during the World Cup group stage on June 23.
