Villarreal Fans Oppose Thomas Partey Signing Amid Legal Controversy

Formal Arsenal player Thomas Partey

A major Villarreal supporters' club has criticized the club's interest in signing former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who faces charges of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault shortly after leaving Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club’s conduct in playing Partey...

A Villarreal fan group has voiced strong opposition to the club's potential move for former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. The president of a prominent supporters' club openly slammed the team's interest in the 32-year-old.

Shortly after Partey's Arsenal contract ended, he faced serious legal issues, with charges filed against him for five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club’s conduct in playing Partey while the investigation was ongoing.

CALL TO ACTION

I encourage all Villarreal supporters who are outraged and disgusted by the potential signing of Thomas Partey to directly contact the club through the official fans' mailbox.

We must do everything we can to let the club know of our disapproval.

Links below 👇 pic.twitter.com/AXICyIsT3z

— Villarreal Report (@Villarreal_Rep) August 3, 2025

According to The Athletic, Spanish club Villarreal are now in talks to bring the Ghana international to Spain.

Cesar Pena, president of the Villarreal supporters’ club in Villafranca de Barros, Extremadura, has hit out at the club for trying to sign him.

Pena told The Athletic: “It’s a complicated issue because, in football terms, we all agree that it’s a great opportunity. 

“He’s a top-level player who has proven himself to all Spaniards, for example, in this year’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid. 

“My personal opinion is the same as that expressed by most fans on social media: I would not agree to sign a player accused of such serious crimes and I would understand if the fans booed the player on the pitch. 

“I hope the club takes the fans’ opinion into account, as I believe this is not just a matter of improving the squad. However, whatever the outcome of the trial, if they sign him, most fans will not agree with it, even if he is ultimately found not guilty.”