Rape and sexual assault are severe crimes that have to be handled all seriousness in society irrespective of the events concerned. And through the years, in style sports activities personalities together with footballers have been dragged to court docket on fees of rape and sexual assault.
Some have been convicted whereas others had been cleared of those fees after prolonged authorized battles. Some gamers have had their careers obstructed by such allegations and fees.
So, which African gamers have been charged with rape and sexual assaults of their careers?
Right here, Pulse Ghana presents eight African soccer stars charged with rape.
1. Thomas Partey (Ghana)
Ghana worldwide Thomas Partey was formally charged with 5 counts of rape and one depend of sexual assault by the UK’s Metropolitan Police on July 4, 2025, following a three-year investigation into alleged incidents involving three ladies.
The costs embrace two counts of rape involving one lady, three counts of rape involving a second lady, and one depend of sexual assault involving a 3rd lady.
All alleged offences are stated to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, whereas Partey was nonetheless underneath contract with Arsenal. The identities of the alleged victims are legally protected.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that the costs had been introduced following a radical evaluation of proof gathered in the course of the investigation, which started in February 2022 after a report of rape was filed.
Partey was first arrested in July 2022, and this would be the first time he will likely be in court docket to answer these fees formally.
He appeared in court docket on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and was granted conditional bail. His case will subsequent be heard on the Outdated Bailey on September 2, 2025.
2. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi might be taking a look at a prolonged jail sentence after French prosecutors pushed for him to face rape fees in prison court docket.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s workplace signed a remaining indictment on August 1, 2025, demanding the 26-year-old full-back be tried for allegedly forcing himself on a younger lady at his residence close to Paris in February 2023.
Hakimi has constantly denied all allegations in opposition to him, but when convicted of rape, he could be jailed for up to 15 years, studies Le Parisien. It is now right down to the investigating choose to resolve whether or not to simply accept or reject the prosecution’s calls for.
The entire situation from an incident on February 25, 2023, when a 24-year-old lady claims she visited Hakimi’s place in Boulogne-Billancourt after they’d been chatting on Instagram for over a month.
3. Frederic Kanoute (Mali)
Former Sevilla and Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute confronted rape allegations in 2005 throughout his time taking part in in Spain, severely testing his popularity regardless of his charitable work and on-field excellence. The case collapsed on account of inadequate proof, with witness testimonies and forensic particulars failing to help the complainant’s account, resulting in all fees being dropped.
Though fully cleared of wrongdoing, the media consideration surrounding the false accusations broken Kanoute’s public picture and demonstrated how baseless allegations can affect an athlete’s profession.
The Malian footballer’s exoneration allowed him to rebuild his popularity and proceed his profitable profession, culminating in profitable the African Participant of the 12 months award in 2007.
READ ALSO: 6 Footballers cleared of rape and sexual assault charges
4. Quinton Fortune (South Africa)
South African midfielder Quinton Fortune, recognized for his Manchester United profession, confronted rape accusations in 2004 when a lady alleged sexual assault following a London nightclub encounter. Fortune strongly denied the costs, sustaining the encounter was consensual.
After a prolonged court docket trial, the jury discovered inadequate proof to convict, and Fortune was acquitted of all fees. The court docket dominated there was no stable proof supporting the accusation. Regardless of intense media protection throughout proceedings, Fortune returned to soccer following his acquittal.
5. Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast)
Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora, recognized for his time at Tottenham and Sevilla, confronted rape accusations in 2011 throughout his stint with Turkish membership Trabzonspor. The allegations shocked followers and teammates, given Zokora’s popularity as a disciplined, hardworking participant.
The case proceeded to trial however collapsed on account of weak proof. The alleged sufferer’s testimony proved inconsistent, and essential forensic proof did not hyperlink Zokora to any crime. Following thorough investigation, he was exonerated and all fees dropped.
Regardless of full vindication, Zokora endured intense media scrutiny all through the ordeal. He later spoke concerning the emotional affect on himself and his household.
6. Kingsley Sarfo (Ghana)
Ghanaian footballer Kingsley Sarfo was convicted in Sweden of statutory rape involving underage women in 2018. He was jailed for 2 years and eight months within the European nation for 2 little one rape counts, a Malmo District Courtroom dominated in June 2018.
He was later launched after his lawyer offered recent proof that his consumer might need been convicted on improper grounds after his legal professionals offered the proof on enchantment.
READ ALSO: 6 Footballers convicted of rape and sexual assault
7. Ousmane Dabo (Senegal)
Senegalese midfielder Ousmane Dabo, recognized for taking part in at Lazio and Manchester Metropolis, confronted sexual assault accusations in 2007. The allegations shocked these accustomed to Dabo’s popularity as a relaxed, composed participant on and off the pitch.
Accused of raping a lady in Italy, Dabo maintained his innocence all through the ordeal. The case attracted vital media consideration, notably in Italy the place he was well-known.
After thorough authorized proceedings, fees had been dismissed on account of lack of proof. The court docket discovered the accuser’s story inconsistent with no conclusive proof of any crime.
The difficult interval examined Dabo, however his acquittal allowed him to proceed taking part in along with his popularity largely intact. He later performed in the USA earlier than retiring from skilled soccer.
READ ALSO: How ice cream became an unlikely lifesaver during Africa’s worst stadium disaster
8. Yannick Kamanan (Togo)
Togolese footballer Yannick Kamanan confronted severe off-pitch challenges in 2012 when accused of rape in France following an evening out. The normally low-profile participant was abruptly thrust into undesirable media consideration.
Kamanan constantly denied the costs, sustaining his innocence all through. After detailed investigation, French courts dismissed the case, discovering the accuser’s proof inconsistent and unreliable, resulting in his full acquittal.
