Thomas Partey faces jeers on Villarreal debut in La Liga amid rape & sexual assault charges

When Villarreal kicked off their La Liga season on Friday night with a routine 2-0 victory over newly promoted Real Oviedo, the spotlight wasn’t just on the three points or Marcelino’s tactical tweaks. It was firmly on Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, who pulled on the yellow shirt for the first time since arriving on a free transfer earlier this month.

Instead of the usual warm welcome that greets a new signing, the 32-year-old Ghanaian was met with a mixed reception: a chorus of jeers interspersed with applause when he stepped off the bench. For Villarreal fans, it was not simply about football. Off the pitch, Partey is facing serious charges of rape and sexual assault in London—allegations he denies but which will continue to shadow his return to Spanish football.

Thomas Partey charged with rape & sexual assault

Just four days after officially leaving Arsenal at the expiration of his contract, Partey appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London. He was charged with five counts of rape against two women and one further charge of sexual assault against a third. Released on conditional bail on August 5, he is expected to face trial later this year.

Partey has strongly denied the accusations, but the gravity of the case means every step he takes in his professional career will be scrutinised. For Villarreal, signing him was already controversial. For Partey, every minute on the pitch will be played under a heavy cloud.

Villarreal begin La Liga campaign with win over Real Oviedo

The game itself, however, was straightforward enough for Marcelino’s men. Villarreal got off to a winning start in the 2025-26 La Liga season thanks to goals from Etta Eyong and Papa Gueye.

The match tilted in their favour when Real Oviedo goalkeeper Alberto Reina was sent off midway through the first half. Down to ten men, the visitors struggled to keep pace and were eventually undone by Villarreal’s pressure. Eyong’s composed finish broke the deadlock before Gueye sealed the victory late on.

Partey entered the game as a second-half substitute, replacing Dani Parejo to a mixture of boos and claps. On the pitch, he kept things simple—short passes, neat positioning, nothing spectacular. But the biggest talking point was not his performance, rather the reaction from the stands and the storm surrounding him away from football.

From Arsenal to Villarreal: a controversial free transfer

When Arsenal triggered Partey’s £45 million release clause in 2020 to sign him from Atletico Madrid, expectations were high. The midfielder was seen as the man to bring steel and control to Mikel Arteta’s project. Over four seasons in North London, he made 167 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals.

His time at Arsenal was a mixture of promise and frustration. At his best, he controlled games with authority and composure, especially during the Gunners’ rise under Arteta. But injuries constantly disrupted his momentum, leaving many supporters feeling he never quite delivered consistently enough for such a big outlay.

The only silverware he lifted during his Arsenal spell was the Community Shield in 2023, a modest return for such an expensive signing. When his contract expired in June, Arsenal opted not to renew. Villarreal, sensing an opportunity, moved quickly to bring him back to La Liga on a free transfer.

Villarreal supporters divided over Partey

Villarreal

For Villarreal, it’s a calculated gamble. On the pitch, Partey brings top-level experience and a profile that could strengthen their midfield. But off it, his presence is divisive. The reaction inside the Estadio de la Ceramica on Friday made that clear.

Some fans applauded his introduction, preferring to focus purely on what he could contribute to the team. Others jeered loudly, uncomfortable with the ongoing criminal case and the optics of welcoming a player facing such serious charges.

This divide is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Villarreal’s management has remained relatively quiet on the matter, insisting only that they believe in giving him the chance to focus on football while the legal process takes its course. But as the season progresses, the scrutiny will only intensify—particularly when Villarreal play away from home.

What’s next for Partey and Villarreal?

Villarreal

Villarreal’s next test comes on August 24, when they host Girona at the Estadio de la Ceramica. That will likely be the first home match where Partey could be in contention for a starting role. A week later, on August 31, they travel to Galicia to face Celta Vigo in their first away game of the new campaign.

On the pitch, Marcelino will be keen to keep focus on results and performances, ensuring Villarreal start the season strongly. But for Partey, every appearance will be analysed in two layers: his footballing contribution and the shadow cast by his ongoing court case.

The bigger picture

Thomas Partey’s story is not just about football anymore. It’s about reputation, justice, and the difficult intersection between sport and the legal system. For Arsenal fans, his departure was already the closing of a chapter that promised much but didn’t fully deliver. For Villarreal fans, it is the start of a complicated new one, where victories on the pitch may always be overshadowed by questions off it.

Whatever happens in court, one thing is certain: his time in La Liga will be watched far beyond the footballing world.