Thomas Partey 'due to get married' day after rape charges

Thomas Partey was reportedly due to get married on Saturday, one day after being charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Partey, who is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 5.

The former Arsenal midfielder, whose contract expired after five years earlier this week, is alleged to have committed the offences between 2021 and 2022. A CPS statement shared that two counts of rape are in connection to one female, while the other three counts relate to a second woman. Partey's sexual assault charge is linked to a third woman following an investigation that started in 2022.

According to GOAL, Partey was scheduled to marry his fiancée, Janine Mackson, in Spain on Saturday, just one day after the charges.

The report claims that the 32-year-old was in Spain on Thursday, but it was not clear whether the ceremony would be going ahead.

Partey and Mackson, an English model and influencer, got engaged last summer, months after she gave birth to their daughter.

Last month, Mackson shared images on Instagram of what appeared to be a bachelorette party in Ibiza, which Partey liked.

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

The Ghana international is a free agent after Arsenal did not hand him a new contract at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Following the news of his charges, a defence lawyer told Sky News: "Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him.

"He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.

"He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."

Partey arrived in England in 2020 after Arsenal triggered the £45million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

He won La Liga, the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup after graduating from Atleti's academy, but he only lifted the Community Shield once at Arsenal.

He made 167 appearances for the Gunners, scoring nine goals, and has earned 53 caps for the Ghana national team.

Partey's future is up in the air after his talks with Arsenal over a new contract could not reach the desired outcome.