By Victor Kanayo
France and Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of seven charges but faces a retrial later this year around two remaining counts
The Man City star was accused of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
Mendy, 28, also allegedly locked his victims in a “panic room” and hid their phones so they could not escape.
But the French international has been found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault against four women.
Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims so he could face a retrial.
The Crown Prosecution Service has seven days to decide whether to pursue a retrial on the two charges where a verdict could not be agreed.
Mendy held his head in his hands as the verdicts were read out.
Shortly after the verdict, his club in a statement said, “Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.
“The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.
“Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time.”
Mendy’s co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie, has been found not guilty of three charges, and will likely face a possible retrial on six charges.
Mendy whose contract expires this summer, was suspended by Manchester City after he was arrested in August 2021.
The club stopped paying him a month after.
