The deep fall of a reigning football world champion. Heavy-footed but looking composed, Benjamin Mendy arrived at the opening of his criminal trial in the English city of Chester.
The Frenchman in the service of English champions Manchester City is accused of eight counts of rape, as well as attempted rape and sexual harassment. The offences are alleged to have taken place between July 2012 and August 2021.
Mendy and a co-accused acquaintance allegedly lured women to the 28-year-old’s rural property near Manchester, intimidated them, isolated them and locked them in a so-called “panic room”. Some of them apparently had their mobile phones taken from them at the entrance to the residence.
Prosecutor Timothy Cray described Mendy as a predator. He said the allegations were another chapter in the well-worn story of men raping women because they believed they had the power to do so and were above the law.
⚖️Le champion du monde 2018 Benjamin Mendy a été présenté ce matin par le procureur comme un “prédateur” qui est “prêt à commettre de graves abus sexuels”.
– Nicolas Pelletier (@npelletier18) August 15, 2022
Mendy and the co-accused who allegedly supplied him with women maintain their innocence. Both are out on bail. A verdict is not expected before November.