TheCable

Benjamin Mendy, Manchester City wing-back, has been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, Cheshire police confirmed on Thursday.

City, the English Premier League (EPL) champions, have also suspended the 27-year-old France international pending an investigation.

Mendy is expected to appear in court on Friday.

According to BBC, the charges relate to complaints from three individuals in incidents that allegedly took place between October 2020 and August this year.

A police spokesperson, who confirmed the charges, also cautioned that Mendy should be afforded a fair trial.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

The club also reacted to the development in a brief statement that read: “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.”

Mendy has been a part of the Etihad-backed club since joining the English side from AS Monaco in 2017, playing 75 times. He has won the English Premier League on three occasions.