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Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Thomas Partey set to join new club two days before appearing in court over rape charges
Thomas Partey is due to pen a two-year deal with Villarreal after seeing his Arsenal contract expire as the Ghanaian also prepares to appear in court after being hit with several charges Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is due to join Villarreal this summer after his contract at the Emirates expired, leaving him free to seek pastures new. The 32-year-old Ghanaian has undergone a medical and is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Spanish club, which will see him play with the Yellow Submarine until 2027. It will mark his return to La Liga having played there during his Atletico Madrid days. Partey was keen to remain in the Champions League and that was a major factor in him choosing Villarreal, who finished fifth in Spain last term. The midfielder had been linked with moves to clubs in Europe and the Middle East throughout the season. The Athletic reported that the ex-Atletico man was in talks over staying at the Emirates but an agreement could not be reached on the terms of a deal despite the two parties trying until late in the day. Partey joined the club from Atletico for £45million back in 2020 and has been part of their rise to title challengers under Mikel Arteta. All in all he made 167 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals, including one in a north London derby win. Shortly after the Ghanaian's Arsenal exit was confirmed he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies all charges. He had been the subject of an investigation that began in February 2022. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday August 5. Arteta was asked for his reaction to the news of Partey's charges and said: "The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that. Quizzed further on whether he was confident the club has followed the right process he replied: "100%." Arsenal have made several additions in the middle of the pitch with Martin Zubimendi among their key signings. The Spanish midfielder joins from Real Sociedad after being on the club's radar 12 months ago and will assist the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Christian Norgaard has also joined from Brentford with the Dane adding more depth to the team's midfield options. Arteta has also captured more firepower in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon and Noni Madueke from Chelsea. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
England flanker Marlie Packer will be available to feature in the opening match of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for her red card in Saturday's win over Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Red Roses' 97-7 warm-up victory in Leicester following a clumsy clearout on the left leg of Spain full-back Claudia Pena. Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday. Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland. In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card. Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation. England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January. The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chris Hughes suffers career blow as he's 'dropped from the BBC' ahead of major sporting coverage - after leaving ITV Racing following CBB stint
has reportedly been dropped from a huge sporting gig - this time on the BBC, following his Celebrity Big Brother stint and romance with JoJo Siwa. In a blow for Chris, 33, it's reported he has been axed from his presenting duties with BBC Sport. Since 2021, Chris had been a regular face of the BBC's Hundred cricket competition coverage, a format that appeals to younger viewers. With just days to go until this year's league kicks off, Chris has been snubbed from the hosting lineup. A BBC insider told The Sun: 'Chris has done a good job for four years, but we're going in a different direction. 'There will be more focus on the cricket this year, rather than promoting the Hundred as an entertainment show. 'Former England cricketers Alex Hartley and Isa Guha and will lead the presenting team, as they know the sport inside out. Rick Edwards from Radio Five Live will be used in the Chris Hughes role.' World Cup winners Isa Guha and Alex Hartley will anchor the coverage on TV, with Chris' role now being filled by BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast star Rick Edwards. Daily Mail has contacted reps for Chris, while the BBC declined to comment. It comes after the BBC told Chris in 2023 that his comment towards female cricketer Maitlan Brown during the BBC's coverage of The Hundred was 'not appropriate'. Chris was interviewing Southern Brave's Australian star during her side's innings against the Trent Rockets, in which he provided plenty of positivity about the women's game. However, he became sidetracked after Brown mentioned a recent team bonding session among the Brave stars. 'We watched Barbie the other night altogether and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together,' she said. 'That is the key to success I think in tournaments like this, how well and how quickly you can gel as a group.' Since 2021, Chris had been a regular face of the BBC's Hundred cricket competition coverage, a format that appeals to younger viewers (pictured hosting the racing on ITV) Cricket fans flocked to Twitter to blast the Love Island star for his awkward remark Hughes quipped in response: 'You're a little Barbie yourself innit, with your blue eyes.' Brown awkwardly laughed at the remark, before Hughes emulated Chris Gayle by saying: 'She's blushing now.' Cricket legend Gayle was criticised for his awful 'don't blush baby' remark during the Big Bash League in Australia back in 2016. The BBC have since confirmed that they have discussed the incident with Hughes. A spokesperson told Mail Sport: 'We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.' The news comes after it was reported earlier this year how Chris was leaving his role on ITV Racing in an apparent dispute over pay. Chris, who is a lifelong horse racing fan, had co-hosted coverage of the channels biggest events such as the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot since 2019. The former Love Island hunk took part in the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother in April this year. Whilst locked in the spy house, he grew close to American singer and reality star JoJo, 22. After leaving the show, the pair later confirmed they had progressed from a platonic to a romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Chris was recently forced to hit back at trolls this weekend after they accused him of being a 'creep' and 'doing anything for fame' amid his romance with JoJo. Chris shared a slew of loved-up snaps with JoJo amid their long-distance relationship and penned in the caption: 'just everything - missing you.' Underneath one troll had commented saying: 'Does anybody else find this creepy.' Chris then responded to the woman named Pauline, saying: 'no Pauline, you're miserable, p**s off kindly.' She then responded: 'lol we see long it lasts.' He then continued in a second comment: 'yeah again, you don't need to speak, you don't follow me, respectfully do one thank you.' Chris had previously described JoJo as the 'love of his life' in a sweet interview, whilst also revealing the nickname JoJo has for his private parts in a shocking X-rated confession. The star told E! News last month: 'She calls my balls Jimmy and Timmy. So she must like Jimmy and Timmy,' adding that she loves 'the rhyming lingo.'
