Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, charged with five counts of raping two women, and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022 when he was playing for north London club, Arsenal.
Partey was charged four days after leaving Arsenal after the expiration of his contract at the end of June.
He was scheduled to appear next in court at the Old Bailey on 2 September.
Partey wore a black zip-neck jumper and carried a navy blazer as he entered court, standing with both arms behind his back in the dock on Tuesday.
He spoke to confirm his name and the understanding of his bail conditions when asked by the court.
According to the terms of the bail. Partey cannot contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel.
The charges followed investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape against the player.
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire previously said he “denies all the charges against him”, adding that he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
