A UK judge has set Monday, November 2, 2026 as date for the start of trial on the rape charges levelled against Black Stars midfielder Thomas Teye Partey.
“Your trial will take place at this court on 2 November of next year, 2026,” Southwark Crown Court Judge Christopher Hehir told Partey on Wednesday, September 17.
“I appreciate that is quite a long way in advance. As you may appreciate the crown courts have a huge backlog of work which means that trials do take a long time to come on.
“Because you have bail effectively you are sitting behind a queue of people in prison who are waiting to be tried.”
On Wednesday, Partey pleaded not guilty to the five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court.
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when the 32-year-old regularly played for Arsenal in the Premier League.
He was charged four days after leaving the north London club, following the expiration of his contract at the end of June.
The former Atletico Madrid player confirmed his name and date of birth in court before pleading not guilty to each of the charges made against him.
He was granted bail until the trial starts.
The conditions of his bail do not prevent him from playing football, but he must notify police of any international travel 24 hours in advance and must not contact the complainants.
