Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail on Tuesday after appearing in London court on rape and sexual assault charges.
The 32-year-old Ghana international has been charged with five charges of rape on two women and one count of sexual assault on a third woman.
The alleged acts occurred between 2021 and 2022, while he was an Arsenal player.
Partey was charged four days after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June.
In the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the midfielder stood with his arms behind his back, dressed in a black zip-neck jumper.
British police stated that they first received reports of rape in February 2022.
Jenny Wiltshire, Partey’s lawyer, has stated that he “denies all of the charges against him” and that he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.
In October 2020, Partey signed with Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid.
He made 52 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals. In total, he played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times.
Partey has also made 51 appearances for the Black Stars of 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.”
