It is the kind of news no one wants to hear. But here it is.
One of the Premier League’s most talked-about midfielders is facing serious charges.
It had been quiet for a while with whispers here and there. Then, suddenly, it became official.
On Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed what many had feared.
Former Arsenal and Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, 32 years old, living in Hertfordshire, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police.
The charges are five counts of rape, one count of sexual assault.
The alleged incidents happened between 2021 and 2022.
The investigation took months, maybe longer. And now it is going to court.
Thomas Partey is well-known to football fans. On the 30th of June, his contract with Arsenal expired.
The Ghanaian international became a free agent after that.
Barcelona were very much interested in signing Thomas Partey as bring him back to the La Liga after his stint with Atletico Madrid.
However, what just unfolded will play a part in Barcelona deciding whether to pursue Partey or not.
The 32-year-old is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
The charges come after a file was passed to the CPS by detectives.
After going through the evidence, the authorities decided to move forward. That is never a small decision.
The case will now move through the legal system.
Thomas Partey had been a prominent figure in the Arsenal team.
He is a well-known public figure, and that is why people will have an eye on this case.
Thomas Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid.
Since then, he had become a fan favourite at the Emirates.
He is also a regular for the Ghana national team. Or at least, he was.
This is not about football anymore. What happened is way bigger than football.
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