Man City footballer Benjamin Mendy will seek to have charges of rape and sexual assault dismissed next week in Court

Manchester City star Benjamin Mendy will seek to have rape charges against him dismissed next week in an application in court from legal team make.

The 27-year defender is accused of six rapes and one sexual assault by four different women.

The charges relate to four complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.

Mendy’s legal team said there would be a 'substantial' hearing next Wednesday which would include an application to dismiss charges against him at Chester Crown Court today.

Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40 - described as Mendy’s 'runner' at a previous hearing - is charged with six counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Neither defendant was in court or appeared via videolink for today’s hearing.

Mendy and Matturie are due to stand trial on January 24, next year, but judge Patrick Thompson said that date looked 'unrealistic'.

The French international has been held in custody at HMP Altcourse, in Liverpool, since being charged with four counts of rape and one sexual assault on August 26.