Latest news with #rapeCharges
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Thomas Partey rape charges: Government urges clubs to better protect women
The Culture Secretary has urged football to establish 'minimum standards' for 'protecting women' in the wake of Thomas Partey facing rape charges. Arsenal have faced fierce criticism from campaigners in recent days for continuing to play Partey for three years following his initial arrest in July 2022. Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has now intervened to express concern that clubs do not have a 'standard approach' when 'very, very highly-paid' players face claims of sexual assault. 'Instinctively, I think there is a problem in that there aren't minimum standards, and there isn't a standard approach and expectations of how clubs will approach this,' she said in an interview with Gabby Logan on the Sports Agents podcast. 'I would prefer to see clubs coming together and agreeing a standard approach that makes sure that they are protecting women in that situation, and that is very much a conversation that I'll be having with them.' Partey was charged with five counts on rape and one of sexual assault on Friday as Arsenal came under immediate scrutiny for continuing to play him for three years. The 32-year-old was one of the club's top earners and after his initial arrest he remained a key figure in three consecutive title challenges and last season's run to the Champions League semi-final. Football's responses to rape allegations against players have varied over the years. Manchester United suspended Mason Greenwood immediately on full pay after he was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material which was published online. Charges against the former England international including attempted rape and assault were dropped on February 2, 2023. Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who was charged with rape and sexual assault in August 2021, was suspended without pay from then until he left the club in June 2023. After being cleared of the charges, however, Mendy last year won an employment tribunal claim that he was entitled to 'the majority of his unpaid salary' from City. Nandy, speaking on the podcast, said she had already spoken to some clubs regarding protocols following allegations against former Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. 'I started this conversation with many clubs in the wake of the allegations about Mohamed Al-Fayed – a number of historical allegations that surfaced, not just in football, but it obviously affected women who'd been in football, working in football, playing, and so on,' she said. She added that the case surrounding Partey must be allowed to 'play out', but suggested further discussions would take place with clubs. 'It's not for Government to tell clubs what they can and can't do, but there is certainly a role, as I see it, for Government ministers, myself and Stephanie Peacock, to be initiating that conversation with clubs and trying to get to a place where women in football know that they are properly protected and supported,' she added. 'There is a particular problem in that there's a power dynamic. So your football stars are stars, and they are very, very highly paid. They're prioritised in terms of they're a major asset to the club – a financial asset, as well as an asset on the pitch. And so there is a power imbalance there that means that there have to be proper standards, and there have to be high expectations of how those things are managed. 'You can't just rely on people who are much more junior, who have less economic value to the institution, being the people who come forward and try and make change. So that's why I think there is a real role for Government here to convene that and to try and ensure that action is taken.' Nandy's comments come after Faduma Hassan, a member of the Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence, wrote in an article for Telegraph Spor t that an 'institutional failure goes far beyond my club'. 'The Premier League and FA have no clear protocols,' she added. 'Clubs deflect to the FA. The FA deflects back. That's not a loophole. It is a chasm of accountability.' Partey denies the allegations and has said he 'welcomes the opportunity to clear his name'. The Premier League and FA have declined to comment while proceedings are active. Arsenal are understood to have followed legal advice throughout. 'The player's contract ended on 30 June,' the club said. 'Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.'
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
INSIDE SPORT: Timing of the Thomas Partey charges is talk of the Premier League... and why it's a big week for the ECB
Eyebrows have been raised across the Premier League at the timing of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision to charge the now former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey with five counts of rape. The Ghana international, who denies the charges, was initially arrested in July 2022 — three years ago — but continued to be a key influence for the Gunners. The charges landed just three days after the expiration of his Arsenal contract, which has not been renewed despite continuous praise from Mikel Arteta, has been the talk of the competition. As for the club themselves, a delay in responding to media queries — with some requests for a statement not drawing a response — was put down to the fact that officials were in an emergency meeting to discuss how to respond to a potential scenario that has been in the pipeline for no fewer than 36 months. A two-line statement eventually landed at 9.54pm on Friday night, reading: 'The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.' NEW ECB DEALS A big week incoming for the ECB, with the stunning deals for the Hundred franchises soon-to-be-finalised. More good news comes in the shape of the new nationwide tournament for state schools. In the first week since launch, understands that more than 500 state schools have signed up for the Knight-Stokes Cup, which is for year 10 pupils and is named after England pair Ben and Heather, who both went to comprehensives in Cumbria and Plymouth. The competition is part of a major push under the State School Task force, set up a year ago by the ECB. Meanwhile, the fight continues for money promised by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and then pulled by Sir Keir Starmer to build 20 Domes. The current government slashed the promised £35m funding and have agreed to fund two of the all-weather facilities, which are game changers for state schools. RADUCANU BOTTLES Emma Raducanu is a global ambassador for Evian, whose eye-catching, specially-commissioned bottles have become a must-have item for Wimbledon obsessives. However, the reusable vessels appear to have only been made available to players, officials and journalists. And some have been clearly been attempting to cash in – with the bottles available on eBay for as much as £200 each. WILLIAMS QUITS Former Swansea City boss Luke Williams has now given up his voluntary role at Bristol Airport after being spotted by fans. Williams took on a job as a customer care assistant, a move which emphasised his appetite to work rather than just wait at home for his next managerial role. However, subsequent media coverage saw his position, in which he often helped disabled passengers, become untenable, with football fans frequently asking for selfies. Those close to the 44-year-old say he did not think the increased attention was fair on those he was attempting to assist. A BOBBY ROBSON MEMORY The forthcoming release of a sequel to the classic golf-based comedy brings back a lovely memory of the late, great Bobby Robson. During his time as Newcastle United manager the club embarked on a tour of the United States. When a flight to Washington DC landed, those onboard were asked to remain seated for around a further 20 minutes. Why? Because their legendary manager was enjoying watching the original so much he wanted to finish it before disembarking. MILLWALL AUCTION A boardroom whiskey decanter, vintage armchairs and home and away dugout seats are among the popular items in an online auction of memorabilia triggered by Millwall's renovation of the Den. The 471-item haul also includes a pennant from the match against Sporting Lisbon, which opened the stadium in 1993 along with the 'welcome' sign from the Barry Kitchener stand and signs for dressing rooms and the tunnel area. Trophies up for grabs include a Johnstone's Paint Trophy team of the round, which has currently fetched a bid of £80. Sportbidder are running the auction, which ends on Tuesday. Proceeds go to the Championship side.
Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Ex-Arsenal Ghana international Thomas Partey faces rape, sexual assault allegations
LONDON, July 5 — Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was on Friday charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after complaints by three women, UK police said. The charges against the 32-year-old Ghana international relate to alleged offences that took place between 2021 and 2022, the Metropolitan Police force said in a statement. They 'follow an investigation by detectives, which commenced in February 2022' following the first complaint, police said. Lawyers for Partey, 32, said in a statement he 'denies all the charges against him'. 'He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation,' said lawyer Jenny Wiltshire. 'He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. 'Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further,' she added. Partey, who was charged four days after leaving the North London club, will appear in court in central London on August 5. Police said the rape charges related to two women, with the sexual assault complaint relating to a third. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said their priority was providing 'support to the women who have come forward'. And he urged anyone 'impacted by the case' or 'who has information' to contact police. — AFP
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey charged with 5 counts of rape
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey faces five charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault. (Photo by) Former Arsenal defensive midfielder Thomas Partey faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police Service announced Friday. Three different women are involved in the charges. Two counts of rape are related to one woman. Three counts of rape were reported by a different woman. The one charge of sexual assault comes from a third woman. Advertisement All the alleged incidents reportedly took place between 2021 and 2022, while Partey was a member of Arsenal. Police opened an investigation into Partey in February 2022, after police received the first report of rape. Partey's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, said the midfielder "denies all the charges" and "welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name," per The Independent. Wiltshire added Partey has cooperated with police throughout their investigation. Partey's contract with Arsenal expired Monday, and the 32-year-old was reportedly fielding offers from Juventus, Barcelona and Fenerbahce, per Sky News. He spent five years with Arsenal after joining the team on a £45.3m deal. He scored nine goals in 109 starts with the team. Prior to joining Arsenal ahead of the 2020-21 season, Partey played for Atlético Madrid. He was also loaned to Mallorca and Almería during his tenure with Atlético Madrid. Partey has also starred with the Ghanian national team since 2016. Partey is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Aug. 5.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Arsenal break silence after Thomas Partey is charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault just five days after leaving the club
Arsenal have broken their silence after former midfielder Thomas Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, just days after his contract at the Emirates expired. In a brief statement issued to the BBC, the club said: 'The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.' The 32-year-old Ghana international, who spent five seasons in north London, is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022 following a three-year investigation by Scotland Yard. He is now due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5. Partey, who was signed by Arsenal for £45million from Atletico Madrid in 2020, denies all the charges against him. In a statement released through his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, Partey said he 'welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name' and has 'fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their investigation'. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the charges were authorised after it 'carefully reviewed a comprehensive file of evidence'. According to the Metropolitan Police, two counts of rape relate to one woman, three counts of rape relate to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge relates to a third woman. None of the alleged victims can be named for legal reasons. The investigation began in February 2022, with Partey first arrested in July of that year, though he was not publicly named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while on bail. It has since emerged that he made over 50 appearances for the club during the period in which the investigation was ongoing. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading 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.' Partey left Arsenal last month following the expiry of his contract, with reports suggesting negotiations over a new deal had stalled weeks earlier. The midfielder has been training in Ghana as he looks for a new club and recently won the Ghana Footballer of the Year award. He made 167 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals, and was part of the side that won the Community Shield in 2023. Despite injury setbacks, Partey returned to feature regularly last season as Mikel Arteta's side finished second in the Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals. In a recent interview discussing his future, Partey said his family would play a decisive role in where he plays next, explaining: 'I think the first thing is where are you happy and where do you feel at home… there are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy.'
