The legal troubles facing former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey have intensified after further counts of rape were added to his existing case at the Crown Court in London on Thursday.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed this morning that the additional charges relate to a separate report of alleged non-recent offences dating back to 2020. The new counts follow a fresh investigation by the Metropolitan Police, after the allegations were first reported in August last year.
Partey, who has previously denied the earlier allegations in court, is accused of offences said to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 while he was a regular member of Arsenal’s first-team squad. The 32-year-old was formally charged four days after leaving the north London club upon the expiry of his contract in June.
He is currently contracted to Spanish side Villarreal. Although his bail conditions do not prevent him from continuing his professional football career, he must notify police at least 24 hours before undertaking any international travel and is prohibited from contacting the complainants.
A CPS spokesperson confirmed that Partey had already been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in connection with allegations made by three women relating to incidents between 2021 and 2022.
The spokesperson added that the latest charges concern a separate report involving an additional woman and arise from a renewed investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Partey is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 13 March for his first hearing.