Villarreal is facing a storm of criticism after officially announcing the signing of Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian international, 32, is currently under legal investigation in the UK, accused of multiple sexual offences, including five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The alleged incidents reportedly took place between 2021 and 2022 while he was playing for Arsenal. Partey, who has consistently denied all charges, is scheduled to appear before the Old Bailey Criminal Court in London on September 2.
The club released a statement defending its decision, citing “the presumption of innocence” and stressing that Partey “firmly maintains his innocence.” However, that has not calmed public opinion. On social media, Villarreal supporters have strongly condemned the move, with the hashtag #NoAThomasPartey trending and waves of emotional messages accusing the club of betraying its values.
“We’ve lost all respect”
“We’ve lost all respect,” one supporter posted. “This signing is shameful. Villarreal used to represent equality and integrity. Now? Just disappointment.”
Others described the move as “disgusting,” saying they feel ashamed to support the club. One fan wrote: “Thank you, Villarreal, for throwing away years of reputation and dividing your fanbase.”
The backlash comes despite Partey having not yet been convicted — he was initially arrested in 2022, with his identity officially made public only in July 2025, shortly after his Arsenal contract expired.
While Villarreal tries to justify the transfer as a footballing decision based on the player’s availability and presumed innocence, many fans believe this is a moral failure, and a stain on the club’s image. With Partey’s court date approaching, the controversy around this signing is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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