Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy charged with rape

Benjamin Mendy, a Manchester City footballer, has been charged with rape.

Cheshire Police said the 27-year-old defender has been charged with four counts of rape and one act of sexual assault.

The charges say that three complainants above the age of 16 were subjected to sexual assault between October 2020 and August of this year.

Mr Mendy, of Prestbury, has been remanded in custody until his Friday appearance in Chester Magistrates' Court.

The left-back has been a regular for last season's Premier League champions after joining from Monaco for a record £52 million in 2017.

A police spokesman said: "Cheshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Mendy are live and that he has a right to a fair trial."

Manchester City announced that the defender, who also plays for France, has been suspended awaiting the outcome of 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 club added.