Former Arsenal player denies two new counts of rape

Former Arsenal player denies two new counts of rapeJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePAFormer Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey appeared at Southwark Crown CourtA former Arsenal footballer has pleaded not guilty to two new allegations of rape.Thomas Partey, 32, appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he denied twice raping a woman in London in December 2020.Partey, who left Arsenal for Villarreal last summer, was charged in July last year with five other counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations dating back to 2021 and 2022.He has also pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial, originally scheduled for November this year, may now be delayed until January 2027 because of the new allegations.In total, the footballer has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault involving four women.On Monday Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, agreed for all the allegations to be tried together.Partey wore dark grey trousers, a black jumper over a white shirt, and smart black shoes to the court.He spoke to confirm his name and enter the two not guilty pleas during the hearing.Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.ukHM Courts & Tribunals Service London