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Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has appeared in court charged with raping two women.
The 32-year-old was granted conditional bail following a short hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning.
He faces five counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another, with the sexual assault allegation relating to a third.
Partey was charged four days after leaving the North London side when his contract expired at the end of June.
Campaigners have criticised Arsenal for continuing to play the Ghanaian international in two Premier League title challenges while on bail over the accusations following his initial arrest in 2022.
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He played 35 games for Arsenal in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals.
Members of the group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence held up a banner outside court reading ‘Arsenal said: “We do the right thing” – Then did nothing”.



Manager Mikel Arteta defended the club’s handling of the midfielder when quizzed about it during last month’s pre-season tour of Asia, telling reporters he was ‘100%’ confident they had followed the proper processes.
Arsenal released a statement on July 4, the day of Partey’s arrest, saying: ‘The player’s contract ended on June 30.
‘Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.’
Partey, whose lawyer previously said he ‘denies all the charges against him’, is close to joining Villarreal on a free transfer.
He is understood to have completed his medical having agreed personal terms for a return to Spain, where he has previously played for Atlético Madrid, Mallorca and Almería.
Partey’s court appearance comes a day before Arsenal host Villarreal in a friendly at the Emirates.
His next hearing will be at the Old Bailey on September 2.
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