French soccer player Benjamin Mendy will again face trial on charges of rape and attempted rape at a court in northwest England. Five months ago, a jury acquitted him of several sexual offenses but was unable to reach a verdict on the rape and attempted rape charges brought against him. The retrial will examine these two remaining charges.
Mendy, 28, a Manchester City player, vehemently denies the allegations and maintains that he poses no threat to women. His contract with the club expires at the end of this month and is not expected to be renewed. During the previous trial, Mendy was acquitted of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault against four women.
The visibly emotional soccer player covered his face with his hands when the not-guilty verdicts were read out in January. His lawyer expressed her satisfaction at being acquitted of most of the charges and expressed hope that he would be able to clear his name in relation to the two remaining charges.
Mendy was indicted alongside Louis Saha Matturie, who was also acquitted by the jury on charges of raping two teenage girls. However, both Mendy and Matturie will face a retrial on other pending charges.
The prosecution portrayed Mendy as a sexual “predator” who allegedly raped or sexually assaulted women provided by Matturie at parties held at his home in Manchester. Mendy and Matturie claim that all sexual activities were consensual.
Benjamin Mendy joined Manchester City in 2017 and became the most expensive defender at the time. However, his time at the club was marred by injuries and a decline in his performance. He has not played since August 2021, shortly before he was first charged with rape and sexual assault. His last call-up to the French national team was in 2019, after winning the World Cup in 2018.