United Kingdom
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape, British police said on Friday.
The 32-year-old also faces one count of sexual assault relating to an alleged offence that took place between 2021 and 2022.
Police said the investigation was opened in February 2022 when it first received a report of rape.
The five rape charges relate to two different women. The sexual assault charge relates to a third woman.
Partey is a free agent after his Arsenal contract expired at the end of last season. He joined the Premier League club in 2020 for $61.8 million from Spanish team Atletico Madrid.
“Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward,” Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police said.
Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on 5 August, police said.
01:11
Lamine Yamal, Carlos Alcaraz among winners at Laureus World Sports Awards
00:23
CAF chief open to corruption probe as Senegal-Morocco row deepens
00:05
Ghanaian Premier League player Dominic Frimpong killed during attack on team bus
Go to video
FIFA investigates Spain over fan misconduct
00:53
Liverpool condemns 'dehumanising, cowardly' racist abuse of Ibrahima Konate
00:57
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami honoured at White House for MLS Cup win