Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder who now plays for Villarreal, has indicated through his legal team that he intends to plead not guilty to two additional counts of rape described as fresh or new allegations. These charges stem from an accusation by a different woman, who claims the incidents occurred on the same day in December 2020.
This development came during a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 13, 2026. Partey was excused from attending in person, and his barrister, Emma Fenn, informed the court of his intended plea on both counts. The case has been adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for April 10, 2026, when it is expected to move to crown court for formal pleas and further proceedings.
These two new rape charges are separate from an earlier set of allegations Partey already faces. In 2025, he was charged with five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third woman, with those alleged offenses occurring between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal. He formally entered not guilty pleas to all of those counts at Southwark Crown Court and is scheduled to stand trial there in November 2026.
The latest charges reportedly followed a separate police investigation prompted by the complainant coming forward, and they add to the ongoing legal proceedings against the 32-year-old Ghana international. He remains on bail with conditions, including not contacting the alleged victim in the new case. All involved parties maintain that he denies the accusations entirely.