Villarreal Fan Group Slams Club Over Pursuit of Ex-Arsenal Star Thomas Partey

Posted Tuesday, August 05, 2025 by tribalfootball

Tensions are rising at Villarreal after the president of a major supporters' club publicly criticised the team's efforts to sign former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

Just days after the 32-year-old left Arsenal once his contract expired, he was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club’s conduct in playing Partey while the investigation was ongoing.

According to The Athletic, Spanish club Villareal are now in talks with bring the Ghana international to Spain.

Cesar Pena, president of the Villarreal supporters’ club in Villafranca de Barros, Extremadura, has hit out at the club for trying to sign him.

Pena told The Athletic: "It’s a complicated issue because, in football terms, we all agree that it’s a great opportunity.0

“He’s a top-level player who has proven himself to all Spaniards, for example, in this year’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid.0

“My personal opinion is the same as that expressed by most fans on social media: I would not agree to sign a player accused of such serious crimes and I would understand if the fans booed the player on the pitch.0

"I hope the club takes the fans’ opinion into account, as I believe this is not just a matter of improving the squad. However, whatever the outcome of the trial, if they sign him, most fans will not agree with it, even if he is ultimately found not guilty."