Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy will appear in court today after being charged with four counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Cheshire Police said the charges relate to three complainants, over the age of 16, and are alleged to have happened between October last year and this month.

The 27-year-old, of Withinlee Road, Prestbury, has been remanded in custody and is due before Chester Magistrates’ Court later.

The left-back, who also plays for the French national team, joined Manchester City in 2017 after he left Monaco for a reported £52m.

A police 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, Mendy’s 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.”

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