Ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, various British media report on Friday.The 32-year-old Ghanaian has been the subject of an investigation that first started in February 2022 and had continued playing for the Premier League club until the expiry of his contract at the end of June.Partey will now appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 5.Partey is over: Arsenal will sign Brentford captainThe Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is an independent organisation that prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative bodies in England and Wales.Jaswant Narwal, of the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the prosecution of Thomas Partey for multiple counts of rape – after carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence.”Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers in the Metropolitan Police who have carried out the investigation, to review the evidence and advise on the appropriate charges.”We remind everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.”We know there will be significant public interest in this announcement, but it is absolutely vital that there is no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”##NAJAVA_MECA_9004482##The Met Police’s detective superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team led the investigation, said: “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. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk.”
