Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy is in hot water after the defender was charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Cheshire Constabulary. The reigning Premier League champions have decided to suspend the French international pending an investigation regarding the matter.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the alleged incidents occurred between October 2020 and August 2021 in Cheshire county in northwest England. The charges stemmed from complaints made by three individuals, who are all over the age of 16.
Manchester City suspends Mendy after arrest
Authorities confirmed that Mendy is now under police custody, and he is set to appear on Friday before Chester magistrates' court. Manchester City released a statement immediately after news broke of Mendy's arrest, saying that "the matter is subject to a legal process and the Club is, therefore, unable to make further comment until that process is complete."
Mendy's legal troubles are a huge blow to Manchester City as the 27-year-old is one of their key players. The Citizens signed Mendy on a five-year contract in 2017 after paying £52 million to acquire his services from Monaco, then a world-record fee for a defender.
Mendy, born in the Paris suburbs of Longjumeau, has been plagued with injuries, however, since making his move to Manchester City. He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in September 2017 after a challenge against Crystal Palace forward Andros Townsend. He managed to return later that season and had five appearances for City, which was required to receive a Premier League winners medal.
Mendy's 2018-19 season began positively, who started in 10 of City's first 12 Premier League games. Unfortunately for him, the injury bug bit him again as he underwent surgery for a cartilage problem in his left knee in November 2018.
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Mendy's legal troubles take the shine away from impending Ronaldo transfer
Mendy seemed to have overcome his injury problems the past two seasons, making a combined 32 Premier League appearances for Manchester City, with the France defender scoring twice during that stretch. He won't be suiting up for Manchester City anytime soon, though, given the severity of the charges he is facing.
However, it was not all doom and gloom for Manchester City on Thursday, as reports surfaced that the club was close to signing soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus. The Premier League champions intensified their pursuit of the former Manchester United star after a proposed blockbuster deal for England captain Harry Kane collapsed. Tottenham managed to retain their star forward.
According to reports, personal terms have already been agreed between Ronaldo and City, and that the only hold up at this stage is Juventus' asking fee for the 36-year-old superstar.
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