Villarreal fans protest club’s move to sign Thomas Partey amid multiple rape and assault charges.
Outrage spreads online and offline as supporters condemn decision as betrayal of club’s core values.
SEE ALSO: Thomas Partey Granted Bail Amid Rape Charges
Villarreal CF is facing intense backlash from its fan base over the impending signing of former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is currently facing multiple rape and sexual assault charges in the United Kingdom. The uproar has led to the launch of a petition that has already garnered over 800 signatures, with supporters calling the move a “betrayal” and “the darkest day in the club’s history.”
Partey, 32, appeared in a London court on Tuesday, where he was formally charged with five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault involving a third. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in 2021 and 2022, during his tenure at Arsenal. He has been granted conditional bail, and the court was informed of his expected relocation to Spain following a one-year deal (with an option to extend) agreed with Villarreal.
The news has triggered a strong response from fans of the La Liga club, who are urging Villarreal to immediately reverse the decision. The petition, started by the platform Villarreal Report, called the club’s action “an act of pure betrayal of the highest order” and a disservice to “all victims of sexual abuse worldwide.”
Rahul Lakhani, a La Liga journalist and founder of the La Liga London platform, explained the depth of opposition: “The community is rocked. Fans don’t want their names associated with someone facing these kinds of charges. Villarreal has always been a club rooted in humility and community, not one chasing controversy or ignoring morality for talent.”
On social media, fans have launched a campaign using hashtags that translate to “No to Thomas Partey” and are circulating the club’s contact information to file official complaints. Many say the potential signing goes against everything Villarreal represents as a club grounded in family values and local support, unlike European giants such as Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The decision to pursue Partey, a former player for Atlético Madrid and Mallorca, comes shortly after he left Arsenal as contract renewal talks collapsed. The charges against him were filed after his departure but stem from a long-running investigation that began in 2022.
With Villarreal set to face Arsenal in a friendly this week, the controversy threatens to overshadow the match and cast a long shadow over the club’s public image.
