Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy was refused bail on Monday for a third time ahead of his trial in which he faces multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.
The French footballer, who was a member of the 2018 World Cup-winning squad, has been in a Liverpool jail since late August. He was arrested for sexual crimes against three women, including a minor, at his home between October 2020 and August 2021.
Mendy is yet to enter pleas to the charges of four counts of rape and one of sexual assault.
The 27-year-old had joined English club Manchester City in 2017 from French side AS Monaco for a reported £52 million and has been a star for the team when fit.
He played against Tottenham on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, but when the charges were raised, the club suspended him immediately pending investigation.
Mendy has made 75 appearances for Man City since his arrival and has had injury-hit time at the club.
Mendy's co-accused Louis Saha Matturie is charged with four counts of rape, too. Both of them are scheduled to go on trial on January 24, 2022.
