Football Vice-captain of the Ghana national team playing in the World Cup Thomas Party accused of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual abuse.
The alleged crimes reportedly took place between 2020 and 2022, when Partey played for Arsenal. There are four stakeholders.
The trial was scheduled to begin in November 2026, but the judge moved it to begin on June 8, 2027.
Partey’s contract with Arsenal expired in the summer of 2025. In August 2025, he moved to Villarreal in the Spanish league just days after he was indicted in London.
Partey has denied all charges.
Partey returned to Britain last week when Ghana faced Wales in a warm-up match in Cardiff. The match ended 1–1.
The Welsh crowd booed the midfielder every time he touched the ball.
Ghana’s head coach Carlos Queiroz publicly supports Partey. The Portuguese coach selected Partey for the World Cup team and named him vice-captain.
“As far as I know – whether it’s England or Portugal or wherever we live – the presumption of innocence is valid until the court issues a decision,” Queiroz stated.
Carlos Queiroz is the head coach of Ghana.
Queiroz criticized Partey’s treatment in the media and social media.
“Nowadays – and this is not only about Thomas Partey – it is very unfortunate how in the media and social media people are judged before they even have a chance to defend themselves.”
The Athleticin Partey has also been booed in Spanish league matches, and some of Villarreal’s supporters have criticized the club’s decision to sign him.
Partey is likely to be in the spotlight again on Tuesday, June 23, when Ghana take on England at the World Cup.
In addition to Ghana and England, Croatia and Panama will play in Group L of the World Cup.
Partey also represented Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. In his club career, he has also played in Atletico Madrid, Mallorca and Almeria.