Man City footballer Benjamin Mendy denies further rape charge

Mr Mendy, who has played 50 times for Manchester City, was suspended by the club after being charged

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has pleaded not guilty to another charge of rape.

The 28-year-old entered the plea ahead of a trial, which is due to start at Chester Crown Court on Monday.

He now denies eight counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape.

A jury panel of eight men and four women were sworn in for the trial, which is expected to last more than three months.

The offences against seven young women are alleged to have taken place at Mr Mendy's home between October 2018 and August 2021.

Jurors questioned

The French international, of Prestbury, Cheshire, will go on trial alongside co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has also denied the allegations.

Mr Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of rape and four of sexual assault, relating to eight women, between July 2012 and August 2021.

Ahead of being selected by ballot to sit on the jury, potential jurors were asked to answer a number of questions.

The jurors heard a list of people who may be witnesses or could be referred to during the trial and were asked whether they had any connection to them or knew them personally.

These included Premier League footballers Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, who all play or have played for Manchester City.

Mr Mendy has made 50 Premier League appearances for Manchester City since joining from Monaco in 2017 and has 10 international caps for France.

He was suspended by Manchester City after being charged.

Both men, who remain on bail, were present for the proceedings earlier.

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