Pep Guardiola backs the club’s stance after Benjamin Mendy’s statement over the court charges
Benjamin Mendy faces a new trial on one count of rape and another of attempted rape after being found not guilty on seven counts following his trial at Chester Crown Court. Pep Guardiola supported Manchester City’s concise statement after Benjamin Mendy was found NOT guilty of five rape charges, one count of attempted rape, and a separate accusation of sexual assault.
The French defender will stand trial again on June 26 after the jury failed to reach verdicts on one accusation of rape and one count of attempted rape. After 14 days of deliberation at Chester Crown Court, Judge Steven Everett dismissed a jury of seven men and four women.
Manchester City has suspended Mendy without payment since he was originally charged in September. 2021. He had denied all of the charges.
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When asked about the current developments during his press conference, Guardiola simply stated, “Please take Manchester City’s statement as my words.“
“Manchester City FC notes the judgement from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven offences,” Manchester City said soon before Guardiola’s press conference. The jury is deadlocked on two charges, and the trial is ended.
“Because there are outstanding issues in this case, the Club is unable to speak further at this time.”
The judge had first asked jurors to seek unanimous findings on all 18 accusations against Mendy, 28, and his co-accused Louis Saha. Matturie is 41 years old.
Judge Everett stated on Wednesday, the 12th day of deliberations, that he would accept a majority ruling. However, the jury of 11 was unable to reach a verdict, prompting the judge to adjourn the trial, which began in the middle of August.
Matturie, of Eccles, Salford, was acquitted of three counts of rape involving two teenagers. The jury was unable to decide on three additional rape accusations and three sexual assault allegations made against him by five other women.
Four weeks into the trial, Mendy and Matturie were found not guilty of an additional count of rape against a 19-year-old woman after video proof of consensual intercourse was presented in court. Following the discharge of the jury, Matthew Conway, for the prosecution, stated that they would seek a retrial on the counts on which the jury could not reach verdicts.
“The prosecution has made a decision,” Mr Conway added. We reached a decision today to proceed on these counts in two different trials, and we are seeking interim case management today.”
Before reaching an agreement for the retrial to begin on June 26, two summer dates were proposed. It should last two to three weeks.
Mr Matturie will be tried separately, with his trial scheduled for mid-September.
