Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after appearing in court on rape and sexual assault charges.
The midfielder faces five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following alleged offences between 2021 and 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
The 32-year-old wore black as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Protesters gathered outside the court, holding a sign that read: "Arsenal said: ' We do the right thing' then did nothing."
Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, previously said he “denies all the charges against him”, adding he welcomed “the opportunity to finally clear his name”.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey appears in court charged with rape
The Ghanaian international was charged four days after leaving the North London club when his contract expired at the end of June.
Partey, of Hertfordshire, is accused of two counts of rape against one woman and three counts of rape against another.
The sexual assault allegation relates to a third woman, according to the CPS. The Metropolitan Police said it first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a transfer worth around £45 million.
The defensive midfielder signed for the Spanish club in 2012 and made 188 appearances, as well as going out on loan to Mallorca and Leganes.
He played 35 games for the north London club in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals.
Partey has also made more than 50 appearances for Ghana – including at the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
An Arsenal spokesperson previously said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”