Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy is due to appear in court today charged with rape and sexual assault.
The 27-year-old, who also plays for the French national team, is due before Chester Magistrates’ Court.
He is accused of four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, a spokesman for Cheshire Police said.
The force 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.
Mendy, of Withinlee Road, Prestbury, has been remanded in custody ahead of his court appearance.
The left-back has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52 million.
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, Manchester City 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.”
Follow Us on Social media:
- Man City player ratings vs Wolves, Erling Haaland is back to his best with a 10/10 performance
- Darren Bent says one Man City player did something ‘unbelievable’ vs Wolves and it’s not Erling Haaland
- ‘I was’… Erling Haaland explains his ‘frustrated’ reaction to being substituted after scoring four vs Wolves
- Manchester City legend makes emotional Etihad Stadium return for Wolves clash
- Pundit says he can’t understand why £100m player even signed for Man City
- Man City star ‘speaks’ to ex-teammate about ‘mega-money move’ before Guardiola waves ‘painful goodbye’
- Jack Grealish says he really loves ‘unbelievable’ Man City teammate