CHESTER, England: Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy will go on trial in January accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third alleged victim.
Mendy spoke only to confirm his name during a 45-minute hearing at a court in Chester, northwest England, on Friday.
A date of Jan. 24 was set for his trial. He is accused of four counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
The 27-year-old Mendy, a France international, listened to proceedings translated to him via a French interpreter sat behind him in the dock. The charges were not put to him and no pleas were entered during the hearing, which dealt largely with administrative matters ahead of the trial.
A further hearing will be held on Nov. 15. Eleanor Laws, defending Mendy, said there would be an application to dismiss the charges on that date.
The alleged attacks, on three different women including one under 18, are said to have happened at his home address.
Mendy was charged on Aug. 26 with three counts of rape relating to an alleged incident in October, and with the sexual assault of a woman in early January this year.
He is also charged with raping a woman last month.
Mendy was refused bail last month and is currently in a prison in Liverpool.
Mendy has been suspended by City pending an investigation.
He joined City from Monaco in 2017 and has won the Premier League three times and the English League Cup twice.
He played against Tottenham on the league’s opening weekend.
Mendy’s trial on rape, sexual assault charges set for Jan 24
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Mendy’s trial on rape, sexual assault charges set for Jan 24
- Mendy spoke only to confirm his name during a 45-minute hearing at a court in Chester on Friday
- The alleged attacks, on three different women including one under 18, are said to have happened at his home address
‘Serious performance’: Dubai Basketball win 14th straight ABA League game
- A 98-82 win over FMP at Coca-Cola Arena keeps the team at the top of the standings
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball maintained control of their ABA League campaign with a home win over Serbian club FMP, taking the Round 16 game at the Coca-Cola Arena by a score of 98-82.
The result pushed Dubai to 14-0 in the standings and kept them at the top of the table.
Dubai are the only team in the league still unbeaten, at home and away. This is the UAE-based team’s second season in the ABA League after a semi-final finish in their debut season.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said of his team’s performance: “This was a serious performance and a well-deserved win. Defensively, especially in the second half, we showed the level we want to play at, and the team spirit continues to grow. The season is long, we’ve had challenges, but the character of the group is clear — we stay positive, keep building, and focus on every game.”
After being out with an injury for most of the season, one of Dubai Basketball’s biggest signings, Dzanan Musa, returned with a statement performance — the Bosnian shooting guard scored 21 points in just over 21 minutes of play. Aleksa Avramovic contributed in several areas with 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds, while also controlling tempo during key phases of the game.
Frontcourt production was another factor in Dubai’s consistency. Mfiondu Kabengele added 16 points, and Kenan Kamenjas finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Dubai spread scoring responsibility and avoided prolonged scoring droughts throughout the contest.
FMP was led by Filip Barna with 21 points and six rebounds, with additional scoring from Scott, Stefanovic, Stanojevic, and Gasic. Despite balanced individual efforts, the visitors were unable to match Dubai’s efficiency.
Combined with control of key moments in the second and fourth quarters, that efficiency ensured another composed and convincing home win for Dubai Basketball.
The team head to their next game at Belgrade Arena against Red Star for EuroLeague Round 25.
