Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy has bail application denied after rape charges

The footballing world was shocked to learn last Thursday that Manchester City defender and France international Benjamin Mendy had been charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a police investigation. 

Per the BBC and The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Mendy was initially refused bail last Friday and once again had a bail application denied on Wednesday. 

The 27-year-old who has been suspended by the reigning Premier League champions for as long as the legal process plays out is accused of committing three rapes in October 2020, a sexual assault in early January 2021 and a fourth rape last month. All of the alleged incidents are said to have occurred at Mendy's home. 

An unnamed 40-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of rape as part of the investigation but was released on bail.  

Mendy joined City from Monaco in July 2017 and won three Premier League titles and the English League Cup twice with the club. He was mostly a spectator for the France side that won the 2018 World Cup.