While football is a game that inspires millions, a number of players have been involved in serious off-field controversies. Allegations and convictions related to sexual misconduct have cast shadows over the careers of several footballers.
Sky Sports had earlier reported Arsenal’s Thomas Partey being caught in the web of sexual assault, due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
Below is a list of seven players who have faced legal scrutiny over sexual assault or r*pe allegations.
1. Manolo Portanova – Genoa (Italy)
The Italian midfielder was found guilty of gang rape and sentenced to six years in prison. Despite being under investigation, Portanova continued playing for Genoa before his eventual release following conviction.
2. Benjamin Mendy – Manchester City (France)
The former Manchester City defender was initially charged with multiple counts of r*pe and sexual assault. Mendy was held in custody and denied bail. After a lengthy trial, he was found not guilty on all charges in 2023 and later resumed his professional career.
3. Gylfi Sigurdsson – Everton (Iceland)
Sigurdsson was arrested in 2021 on suspicion of child sex offences and suspended by Everton. Although charges were later dropped and he was not found guilty, the Icelandic midfielder has not returned to Premier League action since his release from Everton.
4. Ched Evans – Sheffield United (Wales)
In 2012, Evans was convicted of r*ping a 19-year-old woman and sentenced to five years in prison. His contract with Sheffield United was immediately terminated. After serving half of his sentence, he was released in 2014. In 2016, his conviction was overturned, and he was acquitted in a retrial.
5. Dani Alves – Barcelona (Brazil)
In February 2024, Dani Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the r*pe of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. The former Barcelona and Brazil full-back remains in custody after losing his initial appeal.
6. Santi Mina – Celta Vigo (Spain)
The Spanish striker was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to four years in prison. His appeal was rejected, and he has since been suspended from professional football.
7. Robinho – AC Milan (Brazil)
The former Real Madrid and AC Milan forward was convicted in 2017 for his role in the gang rape of a woman in a Milan nightclub in 2013. Robinho received a nine-year prison sentence, which was later upheld by Italy’s Supreme Court. The Brazilian government has since denied Italy’s extradition request.
Former Arsenal midfielder and Ghana international Thomas Partey has been officially charged with the r*pe of two women, raising serious questions about the future of his football career.
Softfootball gathered that the Metropolitan Police confirmed Partey is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, linked to alleged incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2022. According to the authorities, the s**ual assault charge involves one woman, while the r*pe charges concern another individual. The case first surfaced back in February 2022, and as confirmed by his legal team, Partey has cooperated fully with both the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) since then.
Meanwhile, this is a developing story, and Softfootball will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more details emerge.
