Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has denied raping two women and sexually assaulting a third woman.
He was granted bail until his trial, which is due to start at the same court on 2 November next year.
At Southwark Crown Court, the Ghanaian midfielder entered a not guilty plea to five rape charges and one sexual assault charge.
Between 2021 and 2022, when the 32-year-old was a regular player in the Premier League, the alleged offenses occurred. After his contract expired at the end of June, he left the north London club and was charged four days later.
Before entering a not guilty plea to each of the allegations against him, he spoke to verify his identity.
The midfielder, who currently plays for Villareal of Spain, was in England on Tuesday when his new team took on Spurs in the Champions League. He entered as a substitute in what ended up being his team’s 1-0 defeat.
Mr. Partey is not prohibited from playing football under the terms of his bail; nevertheless, he is required to provide police 24 hours’ notice before traveling abroad and to refrain from contacting the complainants.