Villarreal president Fernando Roig has defended the club’s decision to sign Thomas Partey, despite the midfielder facing multiple rape charges in the UK.
The 32-year-old Ghanaian player appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last week, charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three different women.
Partey has denied all allegations and was granted bail, with his next court appearance scheduled for next month in London.
The charges came shortly after his Arsenal contract expired on June 31. Following his release from the Premier League club, Partey joined Villarreal on a free transfer.
His debut for the Spanish side in a preseason friendly against Aston Villa was met with boos and whistles from the crowd.
Addressing the controversy, Roig emphasized the club’s commitment to the presumption of innocence.
“The player is currently undergoing legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence and denies the charges against him,” Roig said after Villarreal’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
“At this moment, Partey is as innocent as the rest of us here. A fundamental right like this must be respected.”
Roig condemned any form of violence while stating it’s the responsibility of English courts to determine the case’s outcome.
Regarding the hostile reception during the match, the president clarified that the boos came from Aston Villa supporters, not Villarreal fans.
“I wouldn’t like our own fans to whistle at players on our team. We must stand with the team and respect the presumption of innocence.
He is not a convicted player,” he said. “We must be cautious and wait for justice. Let’s not judge prematurely. Thomas has the right to do his job until there is a conviction.”
As part of his bail conditions, Partey is prohibited from contacting any of the three women involved in the case.
