After a three year investigation, Partey has been dragged to court over shocking allegations of rape.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is now at the centre of a bombshell scandal that has rocked the football world.
The Ghanaian international, who recently exited Arsenal after five seasons, has been officially charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
As shocking as the headlines are, the case has been quietly building behind the scenes for over three years, with hidden layers, resurfaced social media accusations, and whispers that were once swept under the rug.
Pulse Sports takes a deep dive into the twists, timelines, and the truths behind the Thomas Partey case.
From Arsenal exit to court charges
Partey’s legal troubles came to light just five days after his Arsenal contract expired on June 30, 2025.
The timing couldn’t have been more brutal.
After negotiations for a new deal reportedly collapsed in mid-June, the 32-year-old found himself without a club and now facing the fight of his life in court.
His last Instagram post, shared shortly after his birthday, showed him training in Ghana, seemingly focused on finding his next football chapter.
But now, his story has veered sharply into the courtroom.
The investigation had been ongoing for 3 years
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed Partey faces five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third woman. The alleged incidents span between 2021 and 2022.
According to the CPS via Daily Mail:
“The charges came after it carefully reviewed a comprehensive file of evidence.”
The Metropolitan Police revealed the investigation first began in February 2022 after an initial report was filed.
Partey was first arrested in July 2022 but was not publicly named at the time, allowing him to continue playing for Arsenal.
In fact, Partey managed to feature in over 50 matches while on bail.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who leads the investigation, said as per the aforementioned outlet:
“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward. We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team.”
Partey has vehemently denied all charges
Partey’s legal team has come out strongly in his defence. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, said according to Daily Mail:
“Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
She added that due to ongoing legal proceedings, Partey would not be making further comments for now.
But the weight of the charges is undeniable. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, 2025.
The 2022 case and allegations by his ex-partner
The most explosive part of the timeline traces back to 2022, when Partey’s Moroccan ex-wife Sara Bella allegedly accused him of rape.
Although the case was initially shielded from the public eye, whispers of a serious allegation involving an unnamed Premier League star began circulating on Twitter in mid-2022.
At the time, Partey’s name wasn’t directly mentioned in mainstream media, but a 25-year-old UK-based model boldly called him out, alleging she was a victim while name dropping receipts of their chats on social media.
The social media storm around this user’s accusations gained traction, but the lack of police confirmation allowed the story to simmer quietly in the background.
At the time, insiders claimed Partey had taken a short personal leave from Arsenal that summer.
With the recent confirmation of the charges, many are now revisiting those tweets and social media threads, wondering if the football world simply looked away too soon.
Arsenal’s silence distance has fans assuming the Premier League giants were aware all along
Sources close to Arsenal suggested that Partey’s legal troubles may have quietly influenced the club’s decision to step away from contract renewal talks.
After initial negotiations stalled in mid-June, reports described Arsenal’s stance as “walking away completely.”
His free-agent status now leaves him fully exposed to the consequences of the ongoing case, with no club shield or PR machine to protect his image.
Could Partey’s career collapse
Partey’s football journey has been impressive.
A £45 million move from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal in 2020, 167 appearances, and nine goals.
The midfield destroyer recently celebrated winning the Ghana Footballer of the Year award just two weeks before these charges were announced.
Yet, all of that now hangs by a thread. The footballer’s once-promising free agency is now clouded by criminal proceedings that could permanently derail his career.
What next for Partey?
The football world waits. Partey’s court appearance is set for August 5, and all eyes will be on the legal developments that follow.
So, can Thomas Partey clear his name, or is this the beginning of a devastating fall?
One thing is certain, this scandal is far from over.
