Jury sworn in ahead of Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy's rape trial

A jury has been sworn in to try Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy, who is accused of raping several women. The 28-year-old defender is facing trial at Chester Crown Court.

He is accused of eight counts of rape; one count of sexual assault; and one of attempted rape. The charges relate to seven women.

All offences are alleged to have taken place at Mr Mendy's home address and span between October 2018 and August last year. Mr Mendy, of Withinlee Road, Prestbury, Cheshire, denies all charges.

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A jury panel of 14 people was sworn in on Wednesday afternoon. Before they were sworn in, potential jurors were asked to confirm that neither they nor any close family of friends were employed by Manchester City, Manchester United, or any police force.

They were then read a list of people who may be witnesses or could be referred to during the trial. They included Premier League players Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Riyad Mahrez and John Stones - all of whom either play for or previously played for City.

Judge Steven Everett, the Recorder of Chester, asked jurors to confirm whether they had any personal connections to the five footballers. He said that while they may have heard of the names, only direct involvement with them was relevant.

Judge Everett told them: “Some of you will appreciate, Mr Mendy is a professional footballer. He plays for Manchester City.”

Mr Mendy - who was wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and a striped blue tie - was joined in the dock by co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie and an interpreter, who sat between the pair. Mr Matturie, 41, of