Thomas Partey’s return to England turned sour on Tuesday night as Tottenham supporters unleashed a storm of jeers during Villarreal’s Champions League clash in north London.
The Ghanaian midfielder, back on English soil for the first time since his legal troubles came to light, was shown no sympathy by the home crowd.
Source: Getty Images
Partey mercilessly booed by Spurs fans
The 32-year-old was named among the substitutes and had already been heckled by an unseen fan while walking into the stadium earlier in the evening.
When coach Marcelino García Toral eventually sent him on with twelve minutes left to play, replacing Pape Gueye, the noise inside the over 62,000-capacity ground grew louder.
Videos circulating on social media captured the moment thousands of Spurs fans erupted into boos the instant he stepped onto the pitch.
Watch the video:
According to The Sun, the chants grew more pointed as sections of the crowd repeatedly shouted, “You know what you are.”
Legal case casts long shadow over Partey’s return
For Partey, the match represented far more than football.
It was his first competitive outing in England since he was charged last month with multiple offences.
The midfielder faces five counts of forced coupling involving two women and one charge of sexual assault against a third.
The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal.
He denies all accusations and was granted conditional bail before sealing a move to Villarreal two days later.
His bail conditions allow him to continue playing but require him to inform authorities of any overseas travel a day in advance and forbid him from contacting the complainants.
Partey is expected back at Southwark Crown Court tomorrow for a plea hearing.
Before the clash, his coach insisted the Ghana international was ready to handle the atmosphere.
“I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow. For sure he will be ready. We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human,” Marcelino said.
So far this season, Partey has made four La Liga appearances for Villarreal, starting just once.
But under the lights in north London, football was only half the story as he faced the full force of a hostile crowd.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
