BY Grace Zigah
Ghanaian international Thomas Partey has been released on conditional bail after appearing in a London court to face five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal midfielder’s freedom now comes with a strict set of rules by Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Partey, who is accused of offences involving three women between April 2021 and June 2022, must follow tight restrictions until his trial.
The court ordered that he:
Have no contact, direct or indirect, with any of the three complainants.
Notify the police in writing if he makes any permanent change to his home address.
Inform the police at least 24 hours in advance in writing if he plans to travel outside England.
Attend all scheduled hearings without fail.
Failure to comply with any of these conditions could lead to his bail being revoked and his immediate remand in custody.
The charges against Partey cover alleged incidents while he was playing for Arsenal in the English Premier League.
The London Metropolitan Police began investigating in February 2022 following a report of rape, leading to months of inquiries before charges were brought.
Partey appeared in court on August 5, 2025, accompanied by his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, who has a history of defending high-profile footballers in similar cases.
Wiltshire argued that her client had cooperated fully with investigators and should be allowed to remain at liberty while preparing his defence—a position the court accepted, albeit with strict controls.
The midfielder’s next court appearance is set for September 2, 2025, at the Old Bailey in London.
Meanwhile, he is reportedly close to signing a two-year deal with Spanish club Villarreal, but any move will require careful navigation of the travel restrictions imposed under his bail terms.
For now, Thomas Partey remains free—but under watchful legal scrutiny, with his football future uncertain as the serious charges against him progress through the UK courts.
