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.