Thomas Partey is scheduled to look at Southwark crown courtroom on Wednesday morning to reply rape expenses – after his new membership, Villarreal, kick off their Champions League marketing campaign at Tottenham on Tuesday evening.
It's a unprecedented state of affairs with Partey, who spent 5 years at Arsenal earlier than becoming a member of Villarreal in August on a free switch, assured a scorching reception at Spurs' stadium.
The Villarreal supervisor, Marcelino, evaded questions over whether or not he would play Partey, who is part of the squad in London. However Marcelino insisted that Partey would be capable to deal with the sport – if chosen.
Partey faces 5 counts of rape and one rely of sexual assault. The allegations relate to a few girls, who reported incidents which occurred between 2021 and 2022.
“I'm completely satisfied that he's mentally ready and technically ready to play,” Marcelino stated. “For certain he'll be prepared. We're actually blissful that Thomas is with us for his soccer capability and skill and his presence as a human. He's an incredible participant with numerous expertise. He's performed in some high sides. We all know he's obtained an incredible capability and nice degree.
“I feel he ended final season and began this season nicely. He settled in throughout pre-season actually, rather well. I feel he'll get again to his high degree which everyone knows that he's obtained and I'm very blissful he's with us within the crew.”
Marcelino was peppered with questions on Partey by English journalists at Villarreal's pre-match press convention, at one level exclaiming that “we're speaking extra about Thomas than the sport”. Marcelino sought to steer the dialog on to the soccer.
“We're deciphering stuff and speaking a couple of participant that might be completely harmless,” he stated. “We're taking part in a sport of soccer tomorrow the place the essential factor is soccer. That is the place soccer was invented, in any case.
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“Thomas is with the group. He's out there. After which tomorrow, if nothing occurs to the participant when it comes to health, he can be with all of us.”
