Former Thomas Partey is set to deny two new rape allegations, a court in London has heard.
During a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 32-year-old former Arsenal F.C. midfielder was excused from attending. His barrister, Emma Fenn, told the court that Partey intends to plead not guilty to both charges at a hearing scheduled for 10 April.
The new charges relate to allegations that he raped a woman during a date in December 2020. They come after the Ghanaian international was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three separate complainants.
Prosecutor Arabella MacDonald said the latest complainant came forward after media coverage of the earlier allegations. The charges followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Partey has already pleaded not guilty to the earlier accusations, which relate to incidents said to have occurred in 2021 and 2022. He is due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court in November.
He was granted bail following Friday’s hearing, with conditions including that he must not contact the alleged victim.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 in a deal reportedly worth about £45 million. After leaving the club in 2025, he joined Spanish side Villarreal CF. Internationally, he has made more than 50 appearances for Ghana national football team, playing in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
