Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rape.
Appearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, the Ghanaian midfielder denied twice raping a woman in London on a day in December 2020.
The 32-year-old appeared at the same court last year charged with five counts of rape against two other women, and a charge of sexual assault against a third. The alleged offences occurred between 2021 and 2022, while he was playing for Arsenal.
The star, who left Arsenal for Spanish side Villarreal last summer, previously pleaded not guilty to those charges, and a trial was set for November this year.
In February, the 32-year-old was charged with two additional counts involving a third woman on a date in December 2020.
At the hearing on Monday, Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, also agreed that all the allegations be tried together. He warned Partey and lawyers in the case that the trial could now be delayed until January next year.
The midfielder joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a transfer worth around £45m. He previously gave his address as Potters Bar in Hertfordshire.
An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: “The player’s contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
