Breaking: Thomas Partey Faces New Charges as World Cup Nears

Ghana international football player, Thomas Partey has been charged with two additional counts of rape, intensifying legal proceedings against the former Arsenal midfielder just months before the World Cup. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the new charges, bringing further scrutiny to the 32-year-old, who has already denied multiple allegations.

Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 13, in relation to the latest charges. He previously pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court in September last year. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, during his time as a first-team regular at Arsenal.

After leaving the Premier League club at the expiration of his contract in June, Partey moved to La Liga and now plays for Villarreal. He remains on bail ahead of a trial scheduled to begin on November 2. His bail conditions permit him to continue playing professional football, though he must notify police at least 24 hours before any international travel and is prohibited from contacting the complainants.

The timing of the developments places renewed focus on Ghana’s preparations for the World Cup, where the Black Stars are set to face England in the group stages on June 23.

Partey has long been central to Ghana’s midfield structure, and the unfolding legal case introduces uncertainty around one of the team’s most experienced figures as the tournament approaches.