Benjamin Mendy, a Manchester City footballer, has been accused with another attempted rape.

The 27-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court this morning, where a judge ruled that the new charge the French international faces can now be reported.

It takes the total number of accusations against the defender to nine, including seven counts of rape involving six alleged victims.

A six-week trial is expected to begin on July 25 and judge Patrick Thompson urged lawyers on both sides to ensure there are no further delays.

He said: 'It's not fair on the complainants and not fair on the defendants.

'I'm conscious of the fact that the complainants have already suffered significant delay.

'Say, for example, Mr Mendy, his career is on hold. Everyone has got to understand Mr Mendy can't go to work. This matter needs to be tried.'

Benjamin Mendy
The £50m-rated France international has denied all the charges made against him (Picture: AFP)
Benjamin Mendy
The Manchester City footballer is due to go on trial in June (Picture: Getty)

Mr Mendy, who denies all the charges against him, spoke only to confirm his identity and leaned his head towards a French interpreter who sat between him and his co-defendant, Louis Saha Matturie.

Another pre-trial hearing will take place on March 11.

Mr Matturie, 40, is accused of 10 offences, involving seven women, including seven counts of rape relating to five women and three of sexual assault.

All the charges span from late 2020 to August 2021.

Both defendants were given bail in January after being in custody since both were first arrested on August 26 last year.

At the end of Wednesday's 90-minute hearing, Judge Thompson told both defendants: 'You will next be required to attend on Friday the 11th of March.

He confirmed there were no changes to the bail conditions, to which the footballer replied by saying only 'okay'.

Manchester City bought the defender for a fee reportedly over £50m from Monaco in 2017.

He has made 75 appearances and has represented France at international level 10 times.

His club has suspended him pending the investigation.