Benjamin Mendy "not guilty" of six of the rapes he was accused of

Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault on Friday. A new trial will take place on June 26 on two other charges on which the jurors could not agree.

As the decision was announced, the 28-year-old Manchester City player placed both hands on his face, rocking back and forth slightly.

After 14 days of deliberation in the court of Chester (north of England), the jury acquitted him of six rapes and one sexual assault on four women. But he failed to reach a verdict on a seventh charge of rape and attempted rape.

His co-accused Louis Saha Matturie, meanwhile, was found not guilty of three rapes but he is still suspected in six counts.

Manchester City has also communicated on the subject:

"Manchester City FC take note of today's verdict at Chester Crown Court in which a jury found Benjamin Mendy not guilty on seven counts. The jury is pending on two counts and the trial is now over. As there are open questions related to this matter, the Club is unable to comment further at this time.. "

At the hearing, the prosecution presented Benjamin Mendy as a "predator" who abused "vulnerable, terrified and isolated" victims. The footballer denied having been "a danger to women", claiming to have had only consensual sex.