LONDON, Sept 16 (The African Portal) – Villarreal manager Marcelino said midfielder Thomas Partey is “mentally prepared” to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday, a day before the Ghana international is due to appear in a London court on rape charges.
Partey, 32, has been charged with five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman. He is scheduled to attend a plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Villarreal’s group-stage opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The former Arsenal player joined Villarreal in July after his contract with the Premier League side expired at the end of June. His signing by the Spanish club drew initial protests from some supporters.
“I’m totally convinced that he is mentally prepared, technically prepared, to play the game tomorrow night. For sure he’ll be ready,” Marcelino told reporters on Monday.
“He’s a great player with lots of experience. He’s played in some top sides. We know he’s got a great ability and great level.”
Marcelino said he wanted to concentrate on football rather than the ongoing court case or Partey’s past association with Arsenal.
“We’re playing a game of football tomorrow, where the important thing is football. This is where football was invented, after all,” he said.
“He’s with the group. He’s available and then, if nothing happens to the player in terms of fitness, he will be with all of us tomorrow. We’re talking more about Thomas than the game.”
Partey, who has made four appearances for Villarreal this season, was charged four days after leaving Arsenal.
His lawyer has previously said the player “denies all the charges against him” and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Villarreal said in a statement when announcing his signing: “The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case. Due to the law in England in relation to the ongoing proceedings the club is unable to comment further.”
