Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy will go on trial on July 25 to face multiple charges of rape.
The Frenchman faces a total of nine charges, including seven counts of rape which involved six alleged victims.
Why is Benjamin Mendy on trial?
According to the BBC, the alleged offences include three counts of rape said to have happened on October 11 2020, sexual touching on January 2, 2021, two counts of rape on July 24 and two counts of rape on August 23.
Additonally, he has been charged with attempted rape involving a new complainant.
Police first arrested Mendy on August 26, 2021, after which his club, Manchester City, promptly suspended him.
City bought Mendy from Monaco for £52 million in 2017.
The 27-year-old was transferred to HMP Manchester having initially been held at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool.
In January, Judge Patrick Thompson granted Mendy bail at a private hearing. The press was excluded but, according to the Guardian, Mendy was told he must live at his home address, not contact complainants, and surrender his passport.
What happened during Benjamin Mendy’s appearance in court on Wednesday?
The BBC reports that Mendy appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday morning. He faced a new allegation of attempted rape.
Dressed in a dark grey suit, white shirt and black tie, Mendy spoke only to confirm his identity. He had a French interpreter sitting next to him.
Judge Mr Justice Thompson set a trial date of July 25 and also ruled that reporters could make the attempted rape charge public knowledge.
The judge urged lawyers to ensure there was no delay to the trial’s start date. This trial could last up to six weeks.
“It’s not fair on the complainants and not fair on the defendants,” Judge Thompson said, as reported by the Mirror.
“I’m conscious of the fact that the complainants have already suffered significant delay.
“Say, for example, Mr Mendy, his career is on hold. Everyone has got to understand Mr Mendy can’t go to work. This matter needs to be tried.”
Mendy will next appear in court on March 11 for a further hearing.
Also in attendance was co-defendant, Louis Saha Matturie. He is accused of ten offences, involving seven women. These include seven counts of rape relating to five women and three counts of sexual assault.