Thomas Partey is set to play for Villarreal against Tottenham on Tuesday night before appearing in court on Wednesday morning to face charges of rape and sexual assault. The 32-year-old midfielder, who joined Villarreal from Arsenal in August, is scheduled to attend Southwark Crown Court to answer five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against three women, allegedly committed between 2021 and 2022.
Villarreal manager Marcelino confirmed that Partey is part of the squad for the Champions League match in London and indicated he could feature despite the looming legal proceedings. 'I'm totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play,' Marcelino said. 'For sure he'll be ready.'
Marcelino faced repeated questions about Partey during the pre-match press conference, at one point remarking that 'we are talking more about Thomas than the game.' He stressed that Partey is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. 'We're interpreting stuff and talking about a player that could be totally innocent,' he added.
The former Arsenal star spent five years at the club before leaving on a free transfer. His return to north London is expected to attract significant attention from fans and media, with a hostile reception anticipated at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
