Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy has appeared in court to face a new charge of attempted rape.
The 27-year-old public defender is charged with nine offenses in total, including seven counts of rape against six alleged victims.
Mr Mendy appeared at Chester Crown Court for a brief hearing, when judge Mr Justice Thompson set a trial date of July 25.
He also determined that the charge of attempted rape may now be reported.
Mr Mendy is scheduled to return to court on March 11 for another hearing.
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The Prestbury, Cheshire-based France international is charged with seven charges of rape, one of sexual assault, and one of attempted rape involving a new complainant.
Three instances of rape are said to have occurred on October 11, 2020, sexual touching on January 2, 2018, two counts of rape on July 24, and two counts of rape on August 23.
Mr Mendy, who was dressed in a dark grey suit with a white shirt and black tie, spoke only to confirm his identity and listened with an interpreter by his side.
He has yet to submit a plea to the allegations and was previously granted bail at a hearing in January.
When he was charged by police, Manchester City, whom he joined from Monaco in 2017 for an estimated £52 million, suspended him.
Louis Saha Matturie, 40, of Eccles in Greater Manchester, was also in court, accused with seven charges of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
