French footballer Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty on Friday of six rapes and one sexual assault by a popular jury in the UK, which failed to reach a verdict on two other charges of rape and attempted rape.
The prosecutor has indicated that he will request a new trial on these last two counts.
Aged 28, the French international defender, suspended for more than a year by his Manchester City club, had been on trial since early August at the Chester court.
Accused of seven rapes, an attempted rape and a sexual assault, he risked life imprisonment.
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