Latest news with #Partey
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Why the Thomas Partey Topps farce shows that football has lost its grip on reality, writes IAN HERBERT
The police investigation into Thomas Partey on five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to three separate women, has been one of football's open secrets for precisely three years. He was first arrested in July 2022. The law of this land had preserved his anonymity, but you would have had to be hiding under a rock to work in the industry and not know. Though he denies the charges levelled against him, there is a prosecution case to be aired. The most cursory knowledge of our legal system tells you that since 2022 there had been a possibility that the footballer under investigation might eventually be charged. Pending any acquittal, the idea of our children drawing his name from one of Topps' packs of trading cards would be deeply unwelcome. Until any such acquittal, it goes without saying that a player facing five charges of rape should not be promoted or celebrated. But Topps have made Partey a collectors' item. On Tuesday we discovered that Partey, shown the door by Arsenal in June days before the Metropolitan Police charged him — he is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates on August 5 — will appear on one of their official Premier League trading cards for the 2025-26 season. Prepare yourself for the Topps communication team going into overdrive now — insisting that the player list for the new season of Topps cards was finalised in May, when Arsenal were still negotiating over a potential new contract with Partey. That print and production were wrapped up before he was charged. Nothing to see here. The unpalatable truth is that football has legitimised Partey all along, in a way that no other industry would conceivably have done. Innocent until proven guilty, most certainly, yes, but with such serious offences under investigation, a suspension would be inevitable in any other line of business. Perhaps on full pay, which in Partey's case was £200,000 a week. Or perhaps on no pay. Most men working in an industry which brought them into contact with women would expect to be out of the building if facing allegations like that. We're talking about football, though, and it's been business as usual for Partey. He was arrested on July 4, 2022, released on bail, and played 12 days later in a friendly against Everton in the US. In the course of the first season after his arrest, Mikel Arteta used him for 2,694 minutes across 40 games, important enough for on the pitch and good for the opening goal in a north London derby against Tottenham. Arsenal have gone so far as to rubber stamp his use in the trading packs and even this week, Arteta said he was '100 per cent' sure the club followed the right processes when dealing with his former midfielder. 'There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.' There goes football, lost in its parallel universe and self-justification, blind to the realities and the optics. Flatly ignoring the fact that the sight of our sons and daughters trading Partey's image any time soon is, as things now stand, deeply unattractive.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Thomas Partey to feature on Premier League trading cards after Arsenal green light
Thomas Partey, the footballer accused of rape, will feature on the Premier League's official trading cards when they are released next month — after Arsenal rubber-stamped his inclusion. Topps, an American company that produces trading cards and other collectibles, announced a deal with the Premier League earlier this year that will see them manufacture the cards. Advertisement Arsenal confirmed they were in talks with Partey over a new contract as recently as last month, only for the midfielder to leave at the end of his deal after new terms could not be agreed. Four days after Partey left the club he was charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The 32-year-old denies the allegations and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5. Topps confirmed to The Athletic that players are initially selected based on a number of objective factors, such as the number of minutes a player played in the previous season, how long they have been at the club, and whether they are an international player. The player selection for the 25-26 collection was finalised in May, with all player lists approved by Premier League clubs at that time. The list approved by Arsenal included Partey, despite an ongoing police investigation of which the club were aware, and the fact that he would become a free agent in the summer if a new contract with Arsenal couldn't be agreed. Of the 60+ players previously entering free agency this summer, only four — Partey, Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Josh Brownhill (Burnley) and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion) — were included by their respective teams. After Premier League clubs submitted their final list to Topps, the trading cards almost immediately got put into production and are then randomly placed into packs and distributed to retailers. This means there is no way of knowing where the Partey cards are, so nothing can be done to prevent his card from hitting the shelves next month. Arsenal and the Premier League have been approached for comment. ()
Qatar Tribune
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Mikel Arteta defends Arsenal's handling of Partey's departure
PA Media/dpa London Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has backed the club's handling of former midfielder Thomas Partey's departure, following the arrest of the 32-year-old on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Partey left the Emirates at the end of June after he was not offered a new contract by the club, days before he was charged by police for the alleged offences which took place between 2021 and 2022. He is due to appear before magistrates on August 5. The club released a statement on July 4, the day of Partey's arrest, saying: 'The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.' Asked on the club's pre-season tour of Singapore whether the allegations and impending police action formed part of the decision not to renew the Ghana international's contract, Arteta said: 'The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.' Asked whether he felt confident the club had followed the proper processes, he said: '100%, yes.' The Gunners continue to be linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres who scored 54 goals in all competitions last season. Arteta's side suffered last season from a lack of options in attack with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz meaning midfielder Mikel Merino was pressed into service as emergency for part of the campaign. On the club's hopes of signing Sweden international Gyokeres, Arteta said: 'I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet. When we have something concrete to offer in any case to any player we will do that. 'There's still a long time in the window and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. 'We are constantly looking in the market. Until that happens, focus on the players we have and focus on them and I'm very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.' Arsenal are in the Far East for three fixtures against AC Milan, Newcastle and Tottenham over the coming 10 days ahead of the new Premier League season which begins on August 15. They have made four summer signings so far as they look to end a run of three consecutive runners-up finishes and end a 22-year wait for the title with 26-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi the star buy so far at £55 million ($73.9 million).
New Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arteta backs Arsenal's handling of Partey departure
SINGAPORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Monday defended the club's handling of Thomas Partey's departure after the Ghana international midfielder was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Arsenal did not offer the 32-year-old a new contract at the end of last season and days later he was charged by British police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022. Partey is due to appear before magistrates in London on August 5. In a statement released on July 4, the day Partey was arrested, Arsenal said: "The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case." Arteta was asked during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Singapore whether the allegations against Partey were the deciding factor in him being released. The Spaniard said he was "100 per cent" convinced that Arsenal had followed the correct procedure, adding: "The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that." Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. He appeared 35 times in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals, and 12 times in the Champions League. - AFP
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arteta backs Arsenal's handling of Partey departure
ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta on Monday defended the club's handling of Thomas Partey's departure after the Ghana international midfielder was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Arsenal did not offer the 32-year-old a new contract at the end of last season and days later he was charged by British police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022. Partey is due to appear before magistrates in London on August 5. In a statement released on July 4, the day Partey was arrested, Arsenal said: 'The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.' Arteta was asked during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Singapore whether the allegations against Partey were the deciding factor in him being released. The Spaniard said he was '100 percent' convinced that Arsenal had followed the correct procedure, adding: 'The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.' Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. He appeared 35 times in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals, and 12 times in the Champions League. – AFP
