Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy today arrived at court ahead of a pre-trial hearing over a string of sex crime allegations.

The 27-year-old Premier League star, who lives in Prestbury, Cheshire, is accused of nine charges, including seven counts of rape, involving six alleged victims.

He will stand trial from July 25 along with his co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who faces similar allegations. Both of them were seen arriving at Chester Crown Court this morning.

Mendy’s alleged offences include seven counts of rape relating to four women, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape.

Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, is accused of 10 offences involving seven women, including seven counts of rape relating to five women and three of sexual assault.

All the charges relate to a period of time between late 2020 and August 2021, with both men arrested on August 26 last year. None of the women can be legally identified.

Last Tuesday, Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, presided over a separate pre-trial hearing dealing with administrative and evidential matters which cannot be reported ahead of the trial. 

Mendy has played for Manchester City since 2017, when he joined from Monaco for a reported £52million. He was suspended by the club after being charged by police.

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy at Chester Crown Court today

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy at Chester Crown Court today

Louis Saha Matturie (left) arrives at Chester Crown Court today

Louis Saha Matturie (left) arrives at Chester Crown Court today

Footballer Benjamin Mendy (left) and his co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie (left, in right photo) at Chester Crown Court today

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy (left) arrives at Chester Crown Court this morning for a hearing ahead of his trial in July

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy (left) arrives at Chester Crown Court this morning for a hearing ahead of his trial in July

Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy (left) arrives at Chester Crown Court this morning for a hearing ahead of his trial in July

Offences allegedly committed by Mendy (pictured outside court today) include seven counts of rape relating to four women

Offences allegedly committed by Mendy (pictured outside court today) include seven counts of rape relating to four women

Offences allegedly committed by Mendy (pictured outside court today) include seven counts of rape relating to four women

Mendy (pictured arriving at Chester Crown Court today) is charged with a count of sexual assault and one of attempted rape

Mendy (pictured arriving at Chester Crown Court today) is charged with a count of sexual assault and one of attempted rape

Mendy (pictured arriving at Chester Crown Court today) is charged with a count of sexual assault and one of attempted rape

Benjamin Mendy plays for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur in North London on August 15, 2021

Benjamin Mendy plays for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur in North London on August 15, 2021

Benjamin Mendy plays for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur in North London on August 15, 2021

Source: