Ex-Arsenal player Thomas Partey charged with rape, sexual assault

London, July 4 (EFE).- Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault by the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

According to Sky News, the charges, brought by three women, relate to incidents that allegedly took place between 2021 and 2022.

One of them accuses him of two counts of rape, another of three counts of rape, and a third victim accuses him of sexual assault.

“The Crown Prosecution Service today (Friday) authorized the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape – after carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence,” Jaswant Narwal of the CPS said.

“Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers in the Metropolitan Police who have carried out the investigation, to review the evidence and advise on the appropriate charges.”

She said criminal proceedings were active and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.

“We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Partey, 32, joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atlético de Madrid for 50 million euros and had been a regular starter.

The investigation spanned two and a half years. The charges were announced three days after Partey’s contract with Arsenal ended on July 1.

The footballer will have to appear in Westminster Court on Aug 5.

Arsenal had been in talks with Partey about a possible contract renewal, but no agreement was reached.

In 2022, The Telegraph reported that a Premier League player was under investigation for sexual offenses, but under British law the suspect’s name could not be published until formal charges were filed. EFE

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