Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been charged with four counts of rape and one of sexual assault by three different people.
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Sexual abuse allegations
The 27-year-old French football player has been suspended by the Premier Leagues club and has since been remanded in police custody. He is now due to appear at Chester Magistrate's Court. A Manchester City spokesman said:
Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation. The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete.
The allegations have been made by three different people all over the ages of 16 and are said to have taken place between October of last year this month. A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said:
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Cheshire Constabulary to charge a man in connection with allegations of sexual assault. Benjamin Mendy, aged 27, has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
And added:
The charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021. Mendy, of Prestbury, has been remanded in police custody and is set to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 27.
Football career
Mendy, who also plays for the French national team, has played for Manchester City since 2017 after joining from Monaco for a whopping £52 million. He was chosen for France's squad for the 2018 World Cup which they won.