Former Thomas Partey has firmly denied two additional rape allegations, as his legal battle continues to gather momentum in London.
On Monday at Southwark Crown Court, the 32-year-old midfielder stepped up to the dock and entered not guilty pleas to claims that he twice raped a woman in December 2020.
The development adds another layer to an already complex case surrounding the former Arsenal star.
Earlier in the proceedings, Partey had already been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault linked to incidents between 2021 and 2022.
He had previously denied all those allegations, setting the stage for a high-profile trial initially scheduled for November this year.
However, in a fresh twist, the two new charges introduced in February have now been consolidated with the existing ones.
Judge Tony Baumgartner ruled that all allegations will be heard together, although he cautioned that this could push the trial timeline into January next year.
As it stands, Partey now faces a total of seven rape charges and one sexual assault allegation, involving four different women.
Despite the mounting accusations, he maintains his innocence across the board.
In court, Partey appeared composed, dressed in dark grey trousers, a black jumper layered over a white shirt, and polished black shoes.
He briefly confirmed his identity before entering his pleas, later exiting with his suit jacket draped over his shoulder.
Meanwhile, his legal team had already signaled their defensive stance during a prior hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where Partey was absent but represented.
Off the pitch, the midfielder’s career has seen significant movement.
After joining Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in a £45 million deal in 2020, he departed the club last summer to sign for Villarreal.
Despite the legal cloud, he remains a key figure for Ghana and is expected to feature on the international stage, including a potential clash against England at the upcoming World Cup.
For now, the case remains in play. Partey is currently on bail, with strict conditions preventing any contact with the alleged victims.
The next fixture in this legal contest comes on May 14, when a pre-trial hearing will further shape the timeline and confirm the presiding judge.
As the situation unfolds, both the football and legal worlds will be watching closely to see how this high-stakes case plays out.
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