Bella (L) and Partey (R) during their relationship
Sara Bella, a Moroccan model and former partner of footballer Thomas Partey, has emerged as one of the women involved in the rape allegations brought against the Ghanaian international.
Bella, who was once publicly linked with the Arsenal midfielder, reportedly accused Partey of rape following the breakdown of their relationship.
Their romance, which began after she relocated to the United Kingdom for further studies, had appeared serious.
The pair were even said to be planning marriage, a plan Partey allegedly backed out of, sparking the fallout that would lead to the accusations.
In 2022, it came to light that multiple women had accused Partey of sexual misconduct.
While some of the identities were shielded from the public, Bella’s name circulated heavily in online circles and media speculation, particularly due to her previous public relationship with the midfielder.
Social media investigators and independent reports linked her to one of the cases, although official records did not name her directly.
Sources claimed Bella allegedly attempted to blackmail Partey after their failed engagement, which reportedly influenced his decision to convert to Islam and take the name “Yakubu”, a change he explained as motivated by love.
In an Instagram video with Ghanaian broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah, Partey admitted jokingly, “I have a girl I love. I know my side chicks will leave me but it’s no problem.”
Raised Christian in eastern Ghana, Partey confirmed in early 2022 that he had embraced Islam, a decision largely attributed to his relationship with Bella.
But their fairytale romance ultimately gave way to legal turmoil.
As of July 2025, Partey has been formally charged by the UK’s Metropolitan Police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving three women.
Two of those charges are related to one woman, three to a second, reportedly Sara Bella, and the remaining sexual assault charge involving a third woman.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022, during the peak of Partey’s time at Arsenal.
The midfielder, now 32, has denied all allegations and, according to his lawyer, “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5, 2025.
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