Villarreal president Fernando Roig has stepped forward in defence of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, urging supporters to “avoid rushing to judgment” after the player was booed during a pre-season clash with Aston Villa.
Partey, who joined Villarreal earlier this month following his departure from Arsenal, made his debut in the 2-0 defeat to the Birmingham-based outfit in the Trofeo de la Cermaica.
Partey plays in Spain amid serious case in the UK
His return to the pitch comes at a time when he faces serious legal charges in the UK: five counts of rape involving two women, and one count of sexual assault against a third. These allegations emerged shortly after his Arsenal contract expired.
The 32-year-old has firmly denied all accusations. His lawyer has maintained his innocence, and Partey was recently granted conditional bail after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
His next hearing is set for September at the Old Bailey. Despite the ongoing case, he was cleared to complete his move to Villarreal — a transfer that has sparked debate.
Villarreal president defends Thomas Partey
Roig was quick to point out that the jeers during the weekend match came exclusively from Aston Villa’s travelling fans, not from the Yellow Submarine faithful.
“The English [Aston Villa fans] whistled Partey, not the Villarreal fans,” Roig explained. “I wouldn’t like our own fans to whistle at players on our team. We must stand with the team and respect the presumption of innocence. He is not a convicted player. We must be cautious and wait for justice. Let’s not judge prematurely. Thomas has the right to do his job until there is a conviction.”
The Villarreal chief stressed that the club has always upheld values of fairness and respect.
“A fundamental right like the presumption of innocence must be respected,” Roig said. “We condemn any form of violence, on or off the pitch, but at this moment, Thomas is as innocent as any of us here. The courts will determine the facts — until then, we support our player.”
Partey’s arrival in Spain marks a new chapter in his career, but his future will be shaped as much by events in the courtroom as by his performances on the field.