“Don’t Judge Him Yet”: Villarreal President Defends Thomas Partey Signing Amid Serious Criminal Charges

As legal proceedings continue around former Thomas Partey, Villarreal CF president Fernando Roig has publicly defended the club’s controversial decision to sign the midfielder, urging supporters and critics alike not to rush to judgment.

Partey joined Villarreal as a free agent after leaving Arsenal FC at the expiration of his contract, signing a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. The 32-year-old made his debut for the Spanish side in August 2025, but his arrival quickly became one of the most divisive stories in European football.

The midfielder currently faces eight criminal charges — seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault — relating to allegations involving four women between 2020 and 2022. As of April 2026, Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with legal proceedings still ongoing.

Despite criticism from fans, media scrutiny, and whistles from opposing supporters during matches, Roig has remained firm in his support of the player. The Villarreal president has argued that Partey has not been convicted and therefore retains the right to continue his professional career while the judicial process unfolds.

The situation has sparked intense debate across football circles, with some supporters questioning the club’s ethics, while others point to the principle of innocence until proven guilty. Villarreal’s stance has effectively placed the club at the centre of one of football’s most contentious off-field controversies heading into the 2026 season.