A Manchester City player accused by several women of rape and sexual abuse is declared 'not guilty'

Manchester

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The Chester Crown County jury, in the northwest of England, could not reach a verdict in two other accusations against the footballer – one of attempted rape and the other of rape – and the prosecution announced that there will be a new trial that will begin on 26 from January.

Mendy, 28, covered her face with both hands and leaned back slowly as the foreman delivered the verdict in front of a completely silent court, the British Press Association reported.

The unanimous verdict was delivered Wednesday by the seven men and four women who made up the jury.

One of the jurors was discharged earlier for medical reasons.

Benjamin Mendy when he was still defending the colors of City.

Photo: AFP

The verdict was not reported until the jury concluded its consideration of the other two indictments.

The judge said that he would accept a 10-1 decision on the verdict.

However, after 14 days of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

Louis Saha Matturie

, 41, who was also charged along with Mendy and an alleged "mediator," was found not guilty in all three counts of raping two teenagers.

The jury returned no verdict on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual abuse against him by five other women.

The trial against Mendy and Matturie began on August 10 and

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They denied all the accusations.

Manchester City published a short statement ensuring that they were aware of the verdict related to Mendy, who was suspended by the club in August 2021 when the allegations were made public.

Mendy will have to face a new trial from the end of January.

Photo: AFP

"As there are outstanding matters relating to the case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time," City said.

Pep Guardiola, City coach, did not want to talk about Mendy's acquittal.

"The club has made a statement and I can't say anything else. Please, take the statement as my words," Guardiola said this Friday at a press conference before the duel against United in the city's classic.

Source: AP and EFE

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