Content warning: Mentions of sexual violence, assault, and rape.

The narrative that rape accusations ruin the lives of the accused is dangerous, untrue, and often not the case, especially with high-profile alleged abusers. Athletes, managers, and coaches across the sporting world have faced allegations of sexual violence and face minimal consequences due to their skill level and status. It has become a particularly significant issue in professional soccer, given the sport’s international popularity. 

This is apparent when looking at Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, whose career is thriving despite three separate sexual assault allegations. He was arrested for rape in July 2022—which is the second time allegations had reached Arsenal—but has had his bail extended multiple times. Ultimately, the case was not pursued because of a technicality in legislation that prevented prosecution for an offence that happened overseas. Despite the controversy, Partey’s reputation in the media has been protected: UK privacy law determines that he remains anonymous unless charged, disconnecting any news reports related to his arrest with his name. 

Any threats facing his career have been purely performance-based. Last year, Arsenal put Partey’s contract under review because of his level of play. Head Coach of the Ghanaian Black Stars Otto Addo axed Partey from the national team on Nov. 7. While the reasoning was confidential, it is likely unrelated to the sexual assault allegations. He missed the previous games for Ghana due to illness, and, according to Addo, his exclusion is temporary. The decision might even benefit Partey’s ability to contribute to Arsenal, given that all his attention will now be focused on their next fixtures. On Nov. 5, the Gunners nominated Partey for Arsenal’s Player of the Month, featured him on the graphic for their recent match against Newcastle, and have consistently continued to publicly celebrate his performance. 

It seems all too easy for professional soccer players to get off scot-free when they are accused of sexual violence, particularly due to the huge fanbase and international following of European competitions like the Premier League. One only has to look at the infamous ex-Manchester United forward, Mason Greenwood, and the sexual assault and domestic violence case he faced in early 2022 to realize that rape allegations against professional soccer players are significantly understated among the clubs and leagues. 

Greenwood’s girlfriend, Harriet Robson, accused him of rape and physical assault after leaking incriminating photos and recordings. The Premier League suspended Greenwood during the investigation. The prosecutor withdrew the case, and Manchester United debated his return to the club right until the last minute because they felt a “duty of care” towards him. However, after discussions with key club stakeholders—including members of the women’s team—ultimately, the club cut ties. 

Many women’s rights organizations heavily criticized United’s leadership for this, citing the team made the decision only when met with increased pressure from the media. However, his skill and reputation as a promising young talent means that he can continue progressing in his career; Greenwood now plays for Ligue 1 club Marseille after being on loan to Getafe for the 2023-2024 season, and is still celebrated for his talent. Soccer journalists like Fabrizio Romano have frequently promoted his performances. 

Partey and Greenwood’s cases highlight the extent to which status, aptitude, and celebrity can exempt a person from the supposed “life-ruining” consequences of rape allegations. These allegations are typically only disregarded because of trivial bureaucratic details, meaning that prosecution is often nigh-impossible. A Google search into these players’ names only yields results related to their soccer careers, while their histories of sexual assault are buried under hundreds of articles praising their performances and discussing their futures. 

This doesn’t stop with Partey or Greenwood. Time after time, professional soccer players go unpunished for sexual assault because of their athletic prowess. Some of the biggest names in soccer, like Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, have faced similar cases with few repercussions on their ability to continue playing professionally. 

Players are large investments for clubs that make up their brand and image. Hero-like worship and enormous support from their fans diminish athletes’ misconduct on the grounds of skill. The harmful reality is that clubs and organizations seldom take sexual violence cases seriously due to the focus on on-field excellence.