Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has arrived in court in a prison van after being charged with rape and sexual assault.
The 27-year-old, who also plays for the French national team, was remanded in custody after being charged yesterday.
The left-back is accused of three counts of rape in October 2020 and one count of rape in August this year.
He is also charged with the sexual assault of a woman in early January this year.
All the incidents are alleged to have taken place at his £5m home address in Prestbury, Cheshire.
Police said the charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16.
Mendy is also charged with breaking his bail conditions in August.
A court listing said that after being released on July 26 this year, he broke a condition by having more than four people at his home.
Around 14 reporters are on the press bench at the court awaiting the defendant to be called in.
Proceedings have been slightly delayed as the court awaits arrival of an interpreter for the France international.
Mendy was first arrested at his home in Prestbury, Cheshire last November.
He has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52 million.
He has been suspended from the team pending the investigation.
Police have asked the public not to speculate on the case.
A 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.’
In a statement, Manchester City 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.’
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