Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to assault and sexual assault charges

Thomas Partey came off the bench for Villarreal in Tuesday night’s Champions League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was jeered by home fans, then attended a plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court the following morning where he denied a series of assault and sexual assault charges. The 32 year old former Arsenal midfielder entered not guilty pleas to five counts of assault and one count of sexual assault, court records show, and a trial was set for November 2 next year.

Partey was introduced in the 77th or 78th minute of Villarreal’s 1-0 defeat by Tottenham and was booed repeatedly by supporters as he touched the ball. Villarreal coach Marcelino had kept him on the bench but said on Monday that he was “totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play.” Partey signed for Villarreal in early August after his Arsenal contract expired at the end of June.

Prosecutors allege the offences occurred between 2021 and 2022 when Partey was an Arsenal player. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the current charges and previous court appearances show the Metropolitan Police opened an investigation in February 2022 after receiving an initial report....