BENJAMIN Mendy has been charged with attempted rape on top of the string of rape counts he is already facing.
The Manchester City star, 27, was accused of seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault against five women aged over 16.
He appeared at Chester Crown Court today to face a new allegation of attempted rape.
The fresh offence relates to a sixth alleged victim, the court was told.
Mendy now faces nine charges in total against six complaints.
The footballer, who spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, will next appear on March 11 for a hearing.
A provisional trial date in June was pushed back until July 25.
Mendy was last month bailed after spending 134 days in custody following his arrest in August.
Judge Patrick Thompson released him from prison during a private hearing but imposed a list of “stringent” conditions.
He must surrender his passport and make no contact with complainants.
Mendy must also stay at his six bedroom, £4.8million mansion in Cheshire.
It came after Mendy was charged with a seventh rape count.
The fresh offence relates to a new complainant and is alleged to have taken place in July last year.
Mendy was already facing six rape counts against four women when the new charge was added.
One of these was carried out on August 23 – just three days before he was charged, it is said.
It is the second rape Mendy allegedly committed while on police bail after his arrest in November.
Mendy is also accused of raping a woman three times at Cheshire mansion in October 2020.
The footballer allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in early January 2021.
RAPE CLAIMS
Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40 is accused of 10 offences, involving seven women, including seven counts of rape relating to five women and three of sexual assault.
Premier League champions Man City spent a reported £49.2million signing Mendy from French side Monaco in 2017.
He last played for the club on August 15 during their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at the start of the season.
In September 2020, City boss Pep Guardiola revealed Mendy would be out of the game for at least a month due to an injury.
In a statement, the club 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.”
