Thomas Partey’s court appearance on alleged rape and sexual assault charges has been adjourned to September 15.
The date change means Partey will be free to join the Black Stars’ squad for their match in Chad on Thursday, September 4.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal player, who now plays for Villarreal in La Liga, is charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. These charges relate to allegations from three women, with incidents reportedly occurring between 2021 and 2022.
Partey had been allowed to continue his football career in Spain after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last month.
The upcoming court appearance will come just one day before Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League fixture against Villarreal on September 16. This match is poised to be the midfielder’s first competitive game in the UK since his charges were made public. Partey was charged shortly after his contract with Arsenal expired in June 2025 and shortly before his move to Villarreal.
The allegations include five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with prosecutors describing some accusations as involving multiple incidents. Partey has denied wrongdoing and cooperated with authorities during voluntary interviews over the last two years. Despite initial protests from fans, he has made three substitute appearances in La Liga since joining Villarreal.
This adjournment provides Partey some ability to focus on his football duties in the short term as he prepares to represent Ghana on the international stage. However, the legal proceedings are set to resurface just as the player navigates a potential challenging reception back in the UK, where the case has drawn significant media and public attention.