Summary:
- Mikel Arteta says Arsenal “100 per cent” followed the proper process after Thomas Partey’s rape and sexual assault charges.
- Thomas Partey denies all six charges, and he is due in court on August 5.
- The midfielder was first arrested in July 2022.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the football club “100 per cent” handled Thomas Partey’s situation properly, after the midfielder was charged earlier this month with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.
Serious Charges
The 32-year-old who also plays for the Ghana national team has denied all allegations. He is facing five charges of rape and one of sexual assault involving three different women. According to investigators, the assaults date back to 2021 and 2022.
Partey was originally arrested in July 2022, even though his identity was not revealed to the public at the time, and he kept playing for Arsenal as investigations went on which was incredible as other footballers in similar cases such as Mason Greenwood and Benjamin Mendy were both suspended by their clubs.
His contract with the club came to an end on June 30, just days before the official charges were presented to him which smells like a cover up.
In a statement shared with Sky Sports News, the club confirmed the player’s departure but did not wish to address any of the charges, arguing the “ongoing legal proceedings” were preventing them from commenting on the matter.
Speaking for the first time on Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Singapore, Arteta stood by the club’s response and said he’s confident they did nothing wrong.
The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.
When asked directly if he believed Arsenal handled the matter correctly, the manager replied: “100 per cent.”
The details of the case, revealed when charges were filed, outline that two rape counts relate to one woman, three more to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge involves a third woman.
Partey, Ready to “Finally Clear His Name”
Partey is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5 to face the charges. The Metropolitan Police said their investigation began in February 2022, following an initial report of rape.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is overseeing the case, said in a statement:
Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.
He also encouraged anyone with information or concerns to contact the police.
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, issued a strong denial of the allegations on his behalf, stating:
Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.
The lawyer further added that, in light of the current legal proceedings, Partney is “unable” to offer any additional comments.
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