Ghanaian and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual offence charges in a UK court.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal player faces five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault, alleged to have been committed between 2021 and 2022 while he was playing for the Premier League club.

Partey, who left Arsenal at the end of June following the expiry of his contract, was formally charged four days later. Appearing briefly at Southwark Crown Court, he confirmed his name and date of birth before entering not guilty pleas to all charges.

Judge Christopher Hehir confirmed that the trial is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026. He explained the long delay was due to a significant backlog of cases, prioritising those involving defendants held in custody.

Partey was granted bail under the same conditions imposed at an earlier hearing: he must not contact any of the three complainants and must inform police of any permanent change of address or international travel.

His court appearance came just a day after featuring for Spanish side Villarreal in their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Tottenham in London.

Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for around £45 million ($61m), going on to make 167 appearances for the Gunners, scoring nine goals. Last season, he featured 52 times and netted four goals. He has also earned more than 50 international caps for Ghana.

Partey signed for Villarreal last month.

An Arsenal spokesperson, responding earlier, said: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment further on the case.”

The UEFA Champions League returned with a dramatic opening round of group fixtures on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. From Arsenal’s bench boosting their campaign in Bilbao, to Qarabag pulling off a shock in Lisbon, and Juventus and Dortmund serving up an eight-goal thriller, the night delivered a mix of surprises, comebacks, and standout individual performances.

Arsenal break Bilbao resistance with substitute firepower

Arsenal began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao. Mikel Arteta’s side controlled large spells but struggled to convert their dominance until the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli in the 71st minute.

The Brazilian forward made an immediate impact, racing onto a flick from Leandro Trossard to score with his first involvement. Minutes later, Martinelli turned provider, cutting the ball back for Trossard to finish and seal the win.

Athletic, playing their first Champions League match since 2014, pushed the Gunners for much of the game but were undone by the visitors’ attacking depth. Arsenal will host Olympiakos next, while Bilbao travel to Borussia Dortmund.

Qarabag shocks Benfica in Lisbon

One of the night’s biggest stories came from Portugal, where Qarabag FK stunned Benfica 3-2 at Estádio da Luz. The hosts twice took the lead, only for Qarabag to respond each time before snatching a dramatic late winner.

The result represents a historic away victory for the Azerbaijani champions and leaves Benfica under early pressure in the group stage.

Mbappé rescues 10-man Real Madrid against Marseille

At the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid overcame a first-half red card to defeat Marseille 3-2. Kylian Mbappé was the difference, scoring twice — including a decisive second-half strike — to secure victory despite Madrid being reduced to 10 men.

Marseille briefly threatened an upset when they equalised after the interval, but Mbappé’s finishing proved decisive as Carlo Ancelotti’s side began their campaign with three points.

Juventus and Dortmund share eight-goal thriller

In Turin, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund produced the night’s most breathtaking contest, drawing 4-4 in a match full of momentum swings. Juventus raced into a two-goal lead before Dortmund roared back with three goals in quick succession after half-time.

The hosts struck twice late on to regain the advantage, but Dortmund equalised once again in the closing stages to claim a point. The result leaves both clubs level in what looks set to be one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Union Saint-Gilloise enjoy dream debut

Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise made a statement on their Champions League debut, defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-1. Union struck first, saw PSV respond after the interval, and then found a late winner to secure three points in front of their travelling supporters.

The result capped a memorable European night for a club whose rapid rise continues to capture attention.

Tottenham edge Villarreal at home

Tottenham Hotspur began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Villarreal in London. The decisive moment came early, when a Villarreal defender turned the ball into his own net under pressure.

Spurs controlled possession but were unable to add to their lead, while Villarreal posed danger on the counter. Still, Ange Postecoglou’s side secured a valuable opening win.

A dramatic start to the group stage

Matchday one set the tone for a Champions League season filled with promise. Arsenal’s bench depth, Qarabag’s upset, and Juventus versus Dortmund’s classic underscored the unpredictability of Europe’s premier competition. With more fixtures to come, the battle for knockout-stage places is already shaping into a captivating contest.

Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, a pivotal member of France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.

A graduate of Olympique Lyonnais’ academy, Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 and went on to make 133 appearances for the Catalan club, winning two LaLiga titles during his spell at the Camp Nou.

Despite his early success, Umtiti’s career was heavily disrupted by persistent knee cartilage issues. His final stint came with Ligue 1 side Lille.

“After an intense career filled with highs and lows, the time has come to say goodbye, I gave everything with passion and I have no regrets,” Umtiti wrote on social media late Monday.

“I would like to thank all the clubs, presidents, coaches, and teammates I’ve had the privilege to work with,” he added.

Umtiti’s greatest moment came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he scored the decisive goal in France’s semi-final win over Belgium before starting in the final, helping Les Bleus defeat Croatia 4–2 to claim their second world title.

The UEFA Champions League roars back to life on Tuesday, bringing with it all the drama, history, and spectacle only Europe’s biggest stage can deliver.

This season’s expanded league phase raises the stakes every fixture matters, every debutant carries dreams, and every giant feels the pressure to start strong. Over three nights, 18 clashes will unfold, stretching from Bilbao to Manchester, featuring everything from historic rematches to fresh European adventures.

Here is a Preview of All Games

The lights are on, the anthem is ready, and Europe’s 36 contenders are primed for liftoff. Three nights, 18 battles, and storylines soaked in history, droughts, streaks, and revenge. Let’s go game by game.

Tuesday, 16 September

Athletic Club vs Arsenal (18:45 CET)

Athletic return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014/15 and boast 14 wins in their last 18 European home games at San Mamés.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight Matchday 1 fixtures (W6 D2) and have five straight wins over Spanish sides.

Fortress Bilbao meets the Gunners’ consistency.

PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise (18:45 CET)

PSV are unbeaten in 11 straight European home group matches and have scored in 16 consecutive games at the Philips Stadion.

Ivan Perišić has 3 goals in 4 Champions League outings for PSV.

Union SG debut in the competition but have already upset Dutch clubs Ajax and Twente in last season’s Europa League.

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

A rematch of the 1997 final won by Dortmund, though Juve hold the edge historically with six wins in nine meetings.

Jonathan David arrives in Turin with 10 UCL goals in 18 appearances.

Dortmund’s record in Italy is poor (1 win in last 7 trips), but they tend to start strong, three opening wins in their last four seasons.

Serhou Guirassy netted nine goals in last season’s campaign.

Real Madrid vs Marseille

Madrid eye their 200th win and 700th goal in the Champions League.

Los Blancos have beaten Marseille in all four meetings and have only one home defeat against French sides.

Mbappé has scored on Matchday 1 for three straight seasons.

Aubameyang has four goals in four appearances against Madrid.

Marseille’s record is dire: 18 losses in their last 21 group games.

Benfica vs Qarabağ

Benfica enter their 45th Champions League campaign, second-most in history.

The Portuguese giants are unbeaten in four games this season without conceding.

Qarabağ return for their second group-stage appearance, representing Azerbaijan proudly after knocking out Braga in last year’s Europa League.

Tottenham vs Villarreal

Spurs are unbeaten in 20 home European matches.

But Spanish opposition has haunted them: just two wins in 14 attempts.

Villarreal travel well, winning at Atalanta and Young Boys in recent campaigns.

Former Spurs men Solomon and Foyth return in yellow.

Wednesday, 17 September

Olympiacos vs Pafos (18:45 CET)

Olympiacos boast 36 entries but only two wins in their last 20 group matches.

They are, however, unbeaten in their last seven at home.

Debutants Pafos arrive in fine form, scoring in 13 of their last 14 European games.

Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt (18:45 CET)

First-ever Czech vs Norwegian clash in the UCL.

Slavia are winless in their last seven European fixtures.

Bodø/Glimt are the first Norwegian side in the competition since Rosenborg in 2007/08, but they’ve gone seven without an away win.

Ajax vs Inter

A 1972 final repeat.

Ajax have not beaten Italian opponents at home since 2002 (0 wins in 13).

They do, however, often start strong: four wins in their last five openers.

Inter are unbeaten in 13 against Dutch clubs but struggle on Matchday 1 (2 wins in 13).

Bayern München vs Chelsea

Another final remake: Bayern’s heartbreak in 2012.

Bayern are unbeaten in 34 home group games (W32 D2).

They have won 21 consecutive openers, many without conceding.

Chelsea have won seven of their last 11 against German sides.

Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea, could haunt them in Munich.

Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid

Anfield has witnessed 14 straight home group wins.

Salah has 18 goals in his last 20 group matches.

Atlético have never beaten English sides in the group stage (0W, 8L).

But Simeone’s men rarely stumble on Matchday 1, losing only twice in 15 campaigns.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta

PSG have gone 99 straight UCL games without a 0-0.

They have beaten Italian opponents five times in their last six meetings.

Atalanta thrive on the road, unbeaten in eight away group games.

Goals are almost guaranteed: they’ve scored in 21 of their last 23 group fixtures.

Thursday, 18 September

Club Brugge vs Monaco (18:45 CET)

Brugge are formidable at home, with just two losses in 17.

Monaco rarely play dull football, only one goalless match in their last 70.

Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen (18:45 CET)

Copenhagen finally broke their German hoodoo last year and are tough at home (two defeats in 18).

Leverkusen are ruthless: 11 wins in their last 16 group matches, including a 4-0 demolition of Feyenoord on opening night last year.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray

Frankfurt have lost just twice in their last 13 European home games.

Galatasaray are struggling: winless in nine away and just one win in their last 17 group fixtures.

Goals are likely, though Gala have scored in 25 of their last 27 outings.

Manchester City vs Napoli

City are unbeaten in 21 home group games (W18 D3).

Haaland has 49 goals in 48 appearances and is closing in on the fastest 50 in UCL history.

Napoli have never won in England (0 in 10).

Extra spice: Kevin De Bruyne returns to Manchester in Napoli colors.

Newcastle United vs Barcelona

Newcastle famously beat Barça 3-2 in 1997, Asprilla scoring a hat-trick.

The Magpies are strong at home overall (3 losses in 31) but have lost their last two European games at St James’ Park.

Barcelona are consistent starters: 20 wins in 29 openers.

Lewandowski has nine goals in his last seven group games; Raphinha has 16 in 16.

Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty

Sporting are winless in their last six UCL outings.

But they usually open well: three wins in their last four openers.

Kairat debut in the UCL proper, only the second Kazakh side to do so.

They bring defensive grit, with four clean sheets in five qualifiers.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier issued a joint call on Monday to safeguard player health, warning that the increasingly congested football calendar has reached a breaking point.

Their statement followed criticism from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick over Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal’s groin injury. Flick claimed the 18-year-old was given painkillers to play in World Cup qualifiers despite reporting discomfort.

Earlier this month, Paris Saint-Germain demanded corrective measures, accusing France’s medical staff of disregarding the club’s recommendations on injury risks after Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué returned from international duty injured. France’s players’ union (UNFP) has also raised concerns, blaming the international match schedule for jeopardizing player health.

Čeferin and Terrier, who met last week in Albania, urged UEFA, national associations, leagues, clubs, and unions to work together to protect player welfare while preserving the values of European football.

“Our collaboration with FIFPRO Europe reflects our shared responsibility to protect player health and strengthen the foundations of the game,” Čeferin said.

National team football remains a cornerstone of Europe’s identity and unity. As the demands on players continue to grow, it is more important than ever to work together with associations, leagues, clubs, and players to find balanced solutions for the future of the sport.

Terrier echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for collective action.

We all recognise that the calendar has reached a tipping point. In Europe, we are fortunate to have the tools and the partners clubs, leagues, and national associations to create protocols that protect player well-being and ensure that both national team and club football continue to inspire, unite, and thrive,he said.