Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy was remanded in custody for two weeks yesterday after appearing before magistrates charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The 27-year-old was charged on Thursday and held in custody ahead of yesterday’s appearance at Chester Magistrates’ Court.
Lawyers for the player applied for him to be released on bail, but a district judge remanded him in custody ahead of a Crown Court appearance on Friday, September 10.
The charges were relayed to the French defender by an interpreter, and he spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.
Mr Mendy is charged with three counts of rape which allegedly took place at his Cheshire mansion on October 11 last year.
He was arrested in November in connection with the alleged offences and bailed.
Mr Mendy is further charged with sexually assaulting a woman at his home on January 2 when most of the country was in Tier 4 lockdown.
The final charge relates to the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl, which prosecutors say took place last Monday, again at his home in Prestbury.
The footballer was also initially charged with breaking his bail conditions following his arrest last year but that charge was withdrawn in court.
His court appearance lasted less than an hour and no pleas were entered.