Former Arsenal midfielder Partey charged with rape

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged pinch 5 counts of rape and 1 count of intersexual assault.

The offences are reported to person taken spot betwixt 2021-2022, nan Metropolitan Police said.

The charges impact 3 women, pinch 2 counts of rape relating to 1 woman, 3 counts of rape successful relationship to a 2nd female and 1 count of intersexual battle linked to a 3rd woman.

The Ghanaian world denies nan charges and "welcomes nan opportunity to yet clear his name", his lawyer said.

The charges travel an investigation by detectives, which started successful February 2022 aft constabulary first received a study of rape.

The 32-year-old's statement pinch Arsenal ended connected Monday aft playing pinch nan squad since 2020.

BBC News has contacted Arsenal and nan Football Association. The Premier League declined to comment.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, who is starring nan investigation, said: "Our privilege remains providing support to nan women who person travel forward.

"We would inquire anyone who has been impacted by this case, aliases anyone who has information, to speak pinch our team. You tin interaction detectives astir this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk"

Mr Partey, of Hertfordshire, is expected to look astatine Westminster Magistrates' Court connected Tuesday 5 August.

In a statement, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said: "Thomas Partey denies each nan charges against him.

"He has afloat cooperated pinch nan constabulary and CPS passim their three-year investigation.

"He now welcomes nan opportunity to yet clear his name.

"Given that location are now ongoing ineligible proceedings, my customer is incapable to remark further."

Mr Partey joined Arsenal for £45.3m from Atletico Madrid successful October 2020, made 35 top-flight appearances past play and scored 4 goals arsenic nan London nine vanished 2nd successful nan Premier League.

He besides played 12 times successful nan Champions League arsenic nan Gunners reached nan semi-finals earlier being knocked retired by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Overall, he made 130 Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, scoring 9 goals.

Mr Partey has besides made much than 50 appearances for Ghana's nationalist team, and astir precocious played astatine World Cup qualification matches successful March.