A London court has granted the former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey conditional bail on Tuesday over rape and sexual assault charges.
According to AFP, the 32-year-old Ghana international player has been charged with five counts of rape against two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player.
Partey reportedly appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, wearing a black zip-neck jumper.
When Partey’s contract expired at the end of June, he was charged four days after leaving the Gunners.
London police said they first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, previously said he “denies all the charges against him”, adding he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.
Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.
The midfielder appeared 52 times for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals. Overall, he played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times.
Partey has also made 51 appearances for Ghana.
An Arsenal spokesman previously said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Reports in recent days have linked Partey with a move to Spanish club Villarreal.
