Thomas Partey's appearance in court adjourned without explanation
Thomas Partey will appear in court charged with rape just a day after his new Spanish team plays a Champions League clash with Tottenham in London later this month.
The former Arsenal star, now of Villarreal, will appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 17. The hearing had been scheduled for today at the Old Bailey but was adjourned without explanation.
Partey and Villarreal received a strong backlash in early August as he completed his move to the Spanish side despite his ongoing five-count rape case.
He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts against another. A further sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, as confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The midfielder appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face the charges before being granted bail. He is prohibited from contact any of the three women involved in the case, as per the bail conditions.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022. According to the Metropolitan Police, the first report of a rape allegation was received in February 2022. He denies all the charges against him.
Furious Villarreal fans signed a petition to try and stop the club from signing him and many booed and whistled as he made his debut against Oviedo.
He has gone on to make three LaLiga appearances.
Villarreal face Tottenham in London in their first Champions League clash of the season on Tuesday, September 16.
Given the fact he used to play for their rivals, he could be given a particularly hostile reception.
The charges against him arrived just four days after Partey's contract at Arsenal expired on June 31.
While no explanation has been given for the adjournment of his Old Bailey hearing, he is set to be in action for Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers against Chad on Thursday and Mali on Monday.
Despite the furore surrounding his signing, Villarreal president Fernando Roig defiantly hit back at the criticism directed towards Partey.
'The player is currently undergoing legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence and denies the charges against him,' Roig said after Partey was booed during a pre-season clash with Aston Villa.
'The club upholds the presumption of innocence, and it will be the responsibility of the English courts to clarify the facts. We have spent years demonstrating our values with all kinds of activities.
'We respect the presumption of innocence and, of course, condemn any type of violence, whether inside or outside of football.
'At this moment, Partey is as innocent as the rest of us here. A fundamental right like this must be respected.'
When asked about the boos directed towards his new player, Roig added: 'The English [Aston Villa fans] whistled Partey. Not the Villarreal fans.
'I wouldn’t like our own fans to whistle at players on our team. We must stand with the team and respect the presumption of innocence. He is not a convicted player.
'We must be cautious and wait for justice. Let’s not judge prematurely. Thomas has the right to do his job until there is a conviction.'
