Marcelino was not happy with the questionplaceholder image
Marcelino was not happy with the question | Getty Images
Villarreal boss Marcelino was on the defensive over summer signing Thomas Partey.
The Yellow Submarine open their group phase campaign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and they could have a familiar foe of Tottenham’s in their midfield in Thomas Partey
Partey signed for Villarreal on a free transfer in the summer after departing Arsenal at the end of his contract, although the signing was a controversial one both in Spain and England due to charges the midfielder is currently facing.
The 32-year-old is currently on bail as he faces charges over five counts of alleged rape and one count of alleged sexual assault. It is alleged that the incidents took place between 2021 and 2022 while he was playing for Arsenal.
The allegations were generally known about for some time while he was playing for the Gunners, but charges were not formally announced until four days after his contract at the Emirates Stadium expired.
He is now attending court appearances in London but he was granted permission to complete the move to Villarreal as the process continues to play out. He is on a one-year contract with Villarreal with the club option of a further 12-month extension, and he denies all charges, previously adding that he welcomes "the opportunity to finally clear his name".
Tuesday night will be the first time Partey has played in a competitive game in England since the charges were announced, and one journalist asked Villarreal boss Marcelino about the situation.
A journalist asked: “Will you speak to Thomas about the kind of atmosphere he might expect tomorrow? He’s a former Arsenal player, so he would have got a certain type of atmosphere, but the accusations around him may add another layer of hostility to tomorrow.”
Marcelino was not in the least bit impressed with the question, replying in Spanish: “Firstly, I think we are making interpretations that I don’t consider fair with a person that, until he is proven otherwise, is truly innocent.”
He then engaged in a long stare before adding: “Do you understand?”
He continued: “Then, we are playing a game of football where what is important is the football in a place where he also played.” Another long stare then began, before he added: “Do you understand? Thank you.”
Villarreal’s stance on Partey situation
When they signed Partey, Villarreal said in a statement: “On the other hand, the club is also aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceeding in England. The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process, which will be responsible for clarifying the facts of the case. Due to the law in England in relation to ongoing proceedings the club is unable to comment further.
“Villarreal CF wishes to clearly reiterate its strong commitment to respect and diversity and firmly condemns any act of violence in all its forms, including gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or any behaviour that undermines the dignity of individuals.”
It is worth noting that the signing was met with mixed emotions aplenty locally, and many Villarreal fans expressed their concerns. The question from the journalist was a very fair one, and not one that even questioned the innocence of the player, but it’s likely Marcelino was expecting a question about Partey and had planned to take a defensive approach whenever one arrived.
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