On Facebook
On Flipboard
Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy faces additional rape charge
There's yet another new twist in the case involving Manchester City defender and France international Benjamin Mendy.
According to PA Media (h/t Sky Sports), Mendy was back in court on Wednesday to face an additional allegation of attempted rape. The 27-year-old was initially arrested on Aug. 26 on accusations of rape and sexual assault, and he now faces nine total charges.
Mendy is accused of seven counts of rape involving four plaintiffs, one of attempted rape of a new complainant, and one of sexual assault. Louis Saha Matturie, a 40-year-old co-defendant in this matter, faces seven counts of rape and three of sexual assault. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between October 2020 and last August.
Mendy and Matturie were released from prison following a bail hearing last month, and Judge Patrick Thompson said Wednesday that "both have your bail on conditions as before."
Judge Thompson also set a pre-trial hearing for March 11 and urged lawyers to be prepared to start the trial on July 25.
"It's not fair on the complainants and not fair on the defendants," he said. "I'm conscious of the fact that the complainants have already suffered significant delay. Say, for example, Mr. Mendy, his career is on hold. Everyone has got to understand Mr. Mendy can't go to work. This matter needs to be tried."
Mendy has remained suspended by Manchester City since his arrest.
More must-reads:
- Leagues Cup FAQs: Getting to know MLS and Liga MX's summer soccer tournament
- Colts to sign key offensive lineman to a massive extension
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
‘Furious’ Tottenham out for blood as Daniel Levy seeks to return favour to PL rivals in kind
Tottenham Hotspur are keen to disrupt Nottingham Forest transfer plans after Morgan Gibbs-White saga Tottenham Hotspur’s return to the Champions League in the 2025/26 season has filled us with pride and hope. By defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final, we not only won a trophy but also proved ourselves once again on the big stage of Europe. The new season has started with the appointment of Thomas Frank, who will try to bring the same stability he showed at Brentford to Spurs. This time, the club have entered the transfer window with an aggressive mindset, and the presence of Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel has made our attacking line more dangerous. Tottenham has progressed in the last few years, but always remained one step away. The team never managed to stabilise during the time of Antonio Conte and after that. Now, under the leadership of Thomas Frank, the team have embarked on a new path. The arrival of a player like Mohammed Kudus makes it clear that Spurs no longer want to just play for a top-four finish; they want to win trophies. However, amid that build-up, an old name and a new controversy have made headlines around the club. Gibbs-White row and Jacob Ramsey discussed Spurs sent in a £60 million offer for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. Spurs thought they had activated a release clause, but Forest threatened legal action, saying Spurs had obtained the information incorrectly. Eventually, Gibbs-White signed a new contract with Forest. Following the controversy, it is now reported by Football Insider that Tottenham are targeting Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey to teach Forest a lesson – the very player Forest wanted for their midfield. “I’m already seeing Spurs now targeting other players that Forest have got their eyes on, like Jacob Ramsey at Villa. “They’re furious, they’re going to say, you’re going to block us on Morgan-Gibson White, we’re going to block you on some of your other deals. So all these little tit-for-tat battles in football emerge. It’s just the way that people’s egos get bruised. “Often it’s best not to have these battles. Without being taken advantage of, you can still make your point and move on in a positive way. But it’s an interesting one to say the least. “Mr. Marinakis is testing the boundaries again. He’s standing up for himself, I get all that, but would it have been wise to have moved on and then gotten your own back another way? That’s probably the way I’d have looked at it.” Jacob Ramsey: An emerging talent Jacob Ramsey is one of the Premier League’s young, technical midfielders. His ball progression, driving runs and goal threat can be beneficial to any team. The 24-year-old’s growth at Villa has been remarkable. If Spurs do sign him, it could be a smart move from a footballing perspective, but if the motive behind it is revenge, it could cause problems. Tottenham are a big club, or at least bigger than Nottingham Forest. They should make their transfer moves based on need, not emotion. Spurs did suffer in the Morgan Gibbs-White saga, but it would not be wise to respond by putting obstacles in Forest’s way. Jacob Ramsey is talented, but if the reason behind signing him is just revenge, it could upset the club’s plans. Spurs now have a chance to play in the Champions League and also reach the top of the Premier League. In such a situation, emotional transfers can harm both squad depth and salary structure. A manager like Thomas Frank needs to fit the right players into the right system, not make moves to respond to Forest. Tottenham now needs to focus on one thing – preparing to win, not settling old battles.
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies after battle with cancer
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg lost his battle with cancer on Monday. He was 65. A 20th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1978 MLB Draft, Sandberg quickly moved through the Phillies system despite his humble beginnings. He made his major league debut at the end of the 1981 season, getting six plate appearances in 13 games, his only hit coming off of a bat he borrowed from shortstop Larry Bowa. Drafted as a shortstop, the Phillies hoped that Sandberg would be the heir apparent for Bowa. However, that 13-game stint convinced the Phillies that he was not the answer. Although Sandberg had played at second and third as well in the minors, he was blocked at those positions by Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt respectively. Bowa and Sandberg were traded to the Cubs during the 1981-82 offseason, with shortstop Ivan DeJesus heading to Philadelphia. Sandberg, now a second baseman, had a solid first two seasons in Chicago before exploding into stardom in 1984. He posted a .314/.367/.520 batting line in his 700 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 36 doubles while stealing 32 bases as he led the Cubs to their first postseason berth since 1945. Sandberg made his first All-Star Game, was named the NL MVP, won a Silver Slugger and his second Gold Glove award. A perennial All-Star, Sandberg possessed a combination of power and speed at second base that was rare for his era. He was a 10-time All-Star, winning nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Sandberg posted a lifetime .285/.344/.452 batting line in his 9282 plate appearances, hitting 282 homers and 403 doubles while stealing 344 bases. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame 2005 in his third year on the ballot. After a decade away from the game, Sandberg returned as a minor league manager in the Cubs system in 2007, moving up the ladder to Triple-A in 2009. After Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired, and Sandberg was passed over for the opening, he joined the Phillies organization in 2011. After three years in the Phillies organization, he became the interim manager in 2013, and was eventually hired full-time at the end of the season. Sandberg lasted just over two years in total as the Phillies manager, resigning after 74 games in 2015 as the losses piled up. He remained in the game as a goodwill ambassador for the Cubs before announcing that he had prostate cancer in 2024. Although his cancer had gone into remission, it returned in December, spreading to other organs before Sandberg ultimately lost his battle. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Sandberg during this difficult time.
Could wheeler-dealer Yankees replace Anthony Volpe at shortstop?
The New York Yankees, who recently traded for infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, are in the market for another infielder, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reported Monday. Per Sherman, the ideal player is “a right-handed hitter with the ability to play shortstop if necessary.” If true, this might have implications for current New York shortstop Anthony Volpe. The Yankees’ former top prospect has struggled at the plate and in the field this season, hitting .215/.285/.403 with 14 home runs and -3 outs above average and totaling 13 errors. Adding another infielder would almost certainly mean the Yankees have other plans for Volpe. Sherman reported Yankees GM Brian Cashman placed calls to the Tampa Bay Rays about utilitymen Ha-Seong Kim (.226 BA in 31 at-bats this season), José Caballero (.227 BA) and Taylor Walls (.218 BA). The most intriguing of those names is Kim, who started the season on the IL and recently landed there again. But Kim can be a difference-maker. His batting average has declined from its peak of .260 in 2023 (though still better than Volpe’s), but his on-base percentage is solid (.326 for his career). His defense also is top notch — he won a Gold Glove in 2023 at second base with the San Diego Padres and three Golden Gloves in the KBO, the South Korea pro league. The two other utilitymen Sherman mentioned are replacement-level players. Of the three, Kim comes with the least club control — he holds a player option for next season and will be an unconditional free agent after 2026. At .500 entering play Monday, the Rays (53-53) could be sellers or buyers at the Thursday trade deadline (6 p.m. Eastern). Tampa Bay is fourth in the AL East, but it is just three games out of a wild-card spot. If the Rays aren't sellers, the Yankees could also explore deals for utilitymen Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins or Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kiner-Falefa played for the Yankees in 2022 and 2023.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
