Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault, three years after he was first arrested in July 2022. The allegations relate to incidents involving three separate women between 2021 and 2022, which Partey denies.
Arsenal’s decision not to suspend Partey during his investigation has raised concerns about the club’s approach to handling such serious allegations. Despite Partey’s contract expiring on June 30, his image remained on the official Arsenal website until it was removed following the news of the charges.
The club’s initial statement in 2022 stated that they take their “commitments and responsibilities seriously,” but their actions suggest otherwise. By continuing to play Partey, Arsenal sent a message that the allegations were not being taken seriously enough.
Other clubs have handled similar situations better, suspending players and staff after serious allegations. Manchester United suspended Mason Greenwood after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and assault, and another Premier League club suspended a player in 2021 after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences.
The lack of consistency in handling such allegations raises questions about the culture at Arsenal and football as a whole. It’s essential to recognize that allegations of rape and sexual assault are not trivial matters, but rather a serious issue that affects women and girls.
Football clubs should send a strong message by treating such allegations with seriousness and respect. By doing so, they can help create a safer and more supportive environment for players, staff, and fans.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6474118/2025/07/05/arsenals-thomas-partey-rape-charge-morals