Ex-Gunner’s legal battle takes centre stage

Aside from the Ollie Watkins transfer rumour resurfacing, there's not much to report on, except some high-profile online  Gooners condemning Arsenal for not disciplining Tomas Partey for off-the-field allegations, which were made some time ago.

Despite news of Partey's scheduled court appearance, we don't know if the allegations are true or not. For that reason, I don't think the club has did anything wrong by not taking action against the accused, who was at the time an Arsenal player.

It shouldn't be guilty until proven innocent, should it? There's something called the British Rule of Law, but bloggers and online influencers don't seem to respect that, unfortunately. Ultimately, it's up to the courts to decide Partey's guilt, not for anyone else.

However, if Partey is proven guilty, I think most people will hope he gets the sentence such heinous crimes deserve. 

As a footnote, here's a list of footballers who were charged with serious or crimes but were cleared — either acquitted in court, had their convictions overturned, or had charges dropped.

⚖️ Footballers Charged but Cleared of Serious Crimes

1. Benjamin Mendy

• Nationality: French

• Clubs: Manchester City, Lorient

• Allegations: Multiple charges of rape and sexual assault involving several women between 2018–2021

• Outcome:

• 2023: Acquitted of six counts in first trial.

• Later in 2023: Acquitted of two remaining charges in second trial.

• Notes: Career derailed; resumed playing with Lorient after being found not guilty.

2. Ched Evans

• Nationality: Welsh

• Clubs: Sheffield United, Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town

• Allegation: Rape (2011 incident in a hotel)

• Outcome:

• 2012: Convicted and jailed.

• 2016: Conviction quashed due to new evidence; retrial held.

• 2016: Found not guilty at retrial.

• Notes: Media controversy followed; Evans returned to professional football.

3. Neymar Jr.

• Nationality: Brazilian

• Clubs: Barcelona, PSG, Al-Hilal

• Allegation: Rape (2019, accusation by a model in Paris)

• Outcome:

• Brazilian police said there was insufficient evidence.

• Case was dropped; Neymar always denied the allegation.

• Notes: He released private messages and videos to defend himself, sparking privacy debates.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Nationality: Portuguese

• Clubs: Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, Al-Nassr

• Allegation: Rape (2009, Las Vegas hotel – alleged by Kathryn Mayorga)

• Outcome:

• Ronaldo denied the claim.

• 2019: U.S. prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, citing lack of evidence.

• 2022: A civil suit was dismissed after the judge ruled Mayorga's legal team used improperly obtained documents.

• Notes: Ronaldo has never been arrested or charged formally.

5. Robin van Persie

• Nationality: Dutch

• Clubs: Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United

• Allegation: Rape (2005, while in Rotterdam)

• Outcome:

• Arrested and held for two weeks.

• Prosecutors dropped the case due to lack of evidence.

• Notes: No charges filed; he resumed his career without lasting legal consequence.

🧾 Final Thoughts

• Being charged doesn't mean guilt: many footballers face intense public scrutiny, even if found not guilty.

Let's hope justice prevails.