Thomas Partey faced a mixed reception from Villarreal fans during his controversial La Liga debut on Friday night. The 32-year-old midfielder came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute of Villarreal's 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo, with some supporters greeting him with boos and whistles while others applauded.
The Ghanaian international appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, charges he denies. The allegations relate to three different women and incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal.
Fan opposition grows
As Partey made his way onto the pitch at the Estadi de la Ceramica, whistles could be heard from jeering fans mixed in with applause. Throughout his brief cameo appearance, he continued to face boos and whistles from some supporters when he touched the ball.
The Guardian reports that an online petition opposing Partey's signing has gathered over 1,000 signatures from concerned supporters. The former Arsenal midfielder joined Villarreal on a free transfer after his Emirates contract expired on 30 June, just four days before the charges were announced.
Club defends controversial signing
Villarreal president Fernando Roig issued a defiant defence of the club's decision to sign Partey despite the ongoing legal proceedings. "The player is currently undergoing legal proceedings. He maintains his innocence and denies the charges against him," Roig said.
"The club upholds the presumption of innocence, and it will be the responsibility of the English courts to clarify the facts," he added. Roig emphasised that Partey "is as innocent as the rest of us here" and has "the right to do his job until there is a conviction."
Legal safeguards in place
The Guardian reports that Partey's contract includes an automatic rescission clause that would terminate his deal if he is found guilty of the charges. Partey is scheduled to defend himself in a London court next month.
As part of his bail conditions, the midfielder is prohibited from having any contact with the three women involved in the case. Despite the controversy surrounding the signing, Roig was pictured embracing Partey after Friday's victory.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "The Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
