Footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault against five women.

The jury has been discharged after it failed to reach a verdict on two further charges against the Manchester City player.

Co-accused Louis Saha Matturie, Mendy’s alleged “fixer”, was found not guilty of three counts of rape against two women. Jurors were unable to reach verdicts on six more charges against him.

The trial has been taking place at Chester Crown Court since August after 13 women made allegations against the pair.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it will pursue a retrial against Mendy over the two charges – alleged rape and attempted rape – that the jury couldn’t decide on.

Jurors had been deliberating for 14 days and the judge said he would accept a 10-1 majority on any of the verdicts.

Mendy, 28, covered his face with both hands and gently rocked back and forth as the jury foreman read the verdicts.

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