London Arsenal terminates cooperation with player amid allegations of rape and sexual assault
In the English Premier League club Arsenal, an official statement was made regarding the termination of the contract with Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey amidst serious allegations of sexual assault. The departure followed the conclusion of his contract at the end of June, leading to his official release from the team. The club’s spokesperson provided a brief and cautious comment: “The player’s contract expired on June 30. Due to ongoing court proceedings, we are unable to comment on this matter,” quoted by BBC journalist Sami Mokbel. According to UK media reports, three women have accused the 32-year-old footballer of multiple offenses, including five cases of rape and one of sexual violence. An investigation has been ongoing since February 2022, with court hearings scheduled for August 5. Given the sensitivity and complexity of the case, detailed information has not been disclosed widely. Thomas Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid. Notably, the club features Ukrainian national team player Oleksandr Zinchenko. Last season, Arsenal won silver medals in the English Premier League and is preparing for the upcoming challenges to defend or improve its standings. There are also reports that Zinchenko might transfer to one of Italy’s top clubs, highlighting Arsenal’s prominent position in the transfer market.