Arsenal and Ghana international midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the UK’s Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 and involve three women.
According to police, the charges include two counts of rape involving one woman, three counts of rape involving a second woman, and one count of sexual assault involving a third woman.
Partey, 31, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August.
In a statement, Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the charges were authorised after a thorough review of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape,” she said. “Our prosecutors have worked closely with police to assess the evidence and determine appropriate charges.”
Narwal emphasised the importance of a fair trial and cautioned the public against sharing commentary or information that could compromise legal proceedings.
“We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020, has been a regular part of Mikel Arteta’s squad. Arsenal has not yet commented on the charges.