Sport|FootballFormer Arsenal player Partey to plead not guilty to 2 new rape chargesGhana international Thomas Partey faced initial charges of rape just days after leaving Arsenal last summer.

Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey plans to plead not guilty to two additional charges of rape, as stated by his legal representative in a London court on Fri, Oct 6, 2023.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, currently affiliated with Villarreal in Spain, is separately awaiting trial on five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault concerning a third individual.

The new charges stem from accusations by another woman who claims Partey raped her twice on the same day in December 2020. These allegations emerged following the publicity of earlier charges.

Partey was not required to be present at the preliminary session held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. His legal counsel, Emma Fenn, confirmed his intention to plead not guilty to the new charges. The subsequent court date is scheduled for Wed, Apr 10, 2024.

Partey has also pleaded not guilty to the initial set of charges and is set to face trial in November 2023 at Southwark Crown Court. The alleged offenses occurred between 2021 and 2022, according to prosecutors.

Thomas Partey joined Arsenal in 2020, transitioning from Atletico Madrid. He was initially charged with related offenses in July 2023, shortly after the expiration of his Arsenal contract. Villarreal signed him in August 2023, following his release on bail.

Ghana, having qualified for the World Cup, shares its group with England, Croatia, and Panama. Partey participated in three World Cup qualifying matches in September and October and has accumulated over 50 appearances for the Ghanaian national team.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.