LONDON: Manchester City and France international Benjamin Mendy on Wednesday appeared in court charged with two additional counts of rape.
The 27-year-old defender is facing six allegations of rape and one of sexual assault, after the new charges were added on Tuesday.
The offenses are alleged to been committed on four women over the age of 16 at his home in Prestbury, northwest England, between October 2020 and August this year.
Mendy appeared via videolink before magistrates in Manchester from custody where he has been held since he was charged in August.
The footballer, seen wearing a cream-colored sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the five-minute hearing.
A second man, Louis Saha Matturie, 40, is facing six counts of rape and one of sexual assault and appeared alongside Mendy.
District judge Margaret McCormack sent the case to Chester Crown Court, where both will appear for a scheduled hearing on Thursday.
No application for bail was made and the pair were remanded in custody. A trial date has been set for January 24 next year.
Mendy was a £52 million ($70 million) signing from Monaco in 2017 and has played 75 times for City but his playing time has been limited by injuries and a loss of form.
The last of his 10 caps for France came in November 2019.
The left-back won the World Cup with France in 2018. He has been suspended by the Premier League champions pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
Man City’s Mendy in court charged with two more rape charges
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Man City’s Mendy in court charged with two more rape charges
- The 27-year-old defender is facing six allegations of rape and one of sexual assault, after the new charges were added on Tuesday
- Mendy appeared via videolink before magistrates in Manchester from custody
Pepper, Narine lead Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to ILT20 Qualifier 2 with win over Dubai Capitals
- The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders moved one win away from the International League T20 final after sealing a commanding 50-run victory over Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
An impressive 122-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the foundation for the Knight Riders, before a disciplined bowling display, led by Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Liam Livingstone, dismantled the Capitals’ chase.
The win sets up a Qualifier 2 clash with MI Emirates on Friday, with a place in Sunday’s final against Desert Vipers at stake.
Pepper continued his fine form with a fluent 72 off 49 deliveries, striking seven fours and three sixes, while Salt contributed 43 off 34 as the Knight Riders surged to 122 without loss.
Although the Capitals fought back strongly with the ball to restrict Abu Dhabi to 158/7, a late cameo from Holder (22 off 11) ensured a competitive total.
In reply, the Capitals never recovered from a bruising start as Abu Dhabi’s bowlers applied relentless pressure.
Holder struck early, Narine dominated through the powerplay and middle overs, and Livingstone delivered key blows as the Capitals were bundled out for 108. Narine, Holder and Livingstone finished with three wickets apiece.
Player of the match Narine said: “Winning games changes everything, it means a lot. We haven’t made the playoffs in three years, and that’s something we’ve been pushing hard for. It’s emotional because we’ve played good cricket before without getting the results.”
Dubai Capitals captain Mohammad Nabi was philosophical in defeat.
“At one point it looked like they might get close to 200, but we did well to pull things back with the ball. With the bat, though, we weren’t good enough as a unit,” he said.
“There wasn’t excessive turn, but they bowled very well to their areas. The plan was to rotate strike and avoid early wickets, but it didn’t come off.”
