Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has been accused of two additional counts of rape by the British Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom.
The Ghanaian international had already been charged with five counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault in a separate case. He has denied those charges. The earlier case, which involves two alleged victims, is still before the court.
According to reports from Spanish outlet Diario AS, the new charges are linked to a separate complaint filed in 2020. This second investigation is not connected to the first case and involves a third alleged victim. Partey has been summoned to appear in court in London on Friday, March 13, where he is expected to enter his pleas.
He is currently out on bail in relation to the earlier charges.
Partey left Arsenal on a free transfer after news of his legal case became public. Villarreal signed him to a two-year contract last summer despite criticism from some supporters.
The Spanish club has not yet issued a statement on the new allegations. However, it previously stated that the player is innocent until proven guilty under the law.
The situation has drawn attention both in England and Spain, placing Villarreal under public scrutiny.
On the field, Partey has struggled since his return to Spain. The 32-year-old has made 21 appearances for Villarreal, playing a total of 1,068 minutes, with 12 starts. He has completed just three full matches. After he was substituted at half-time during Villarreal’s 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral said it was “very difficult to play” at the pace required.
The legal process is ongoing, and further updates are expected following his next court appearance.