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    Man City release statement on Benjamin Mendy as star is CLEARED of raping women at mansion

    MANCHESTER City have released a statement today on Benjamin Mendy after the star was cleared of raping women at his mansion. Mendy was found not guilty of raping the women during lockdown-busting parties.
    Man City has now released a statement following today’s court findings
    The Man City star was accused of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
    Mendy, 28, also allegedly locked his victims in a “panic room” and hid their phones so they could not escape.
    But the French international was today found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault against four women.
    Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims.
    Read more on UK News
    The football club released a statement after the verdict – but before the announcement that he would face a retrial.
    It read: “Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.
    “The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.
    “Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time.”
    Most read in Football
    A retrial for Mendy, who remains in custody, has now been set for June 26, with a pre-trial hearing set to be held on January 27.
    The re-trial is expected to last two or three weeks.
    Earlier, Judge Everett brought jurors back into court and asked if they would reach further verdicts if given more time.
    The foreman of the jury replied: “No. We are at a point now where we can’t agree.”
    Judge Everett told them: “It is not unusual that jurors don’t reach verdicts on some counts. You have to be true to your duty.”
    During a six-month trial, jurors were told the left-back lured young women into “toxic and dangerous” situations at his six-bedroom Cheshire home.
    Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie acted as Mendy’s “fixer” by getting girls as young as 17 to attend the lockdown-busting parties after nights spent in the VIP sections of clubs drinking £1,500 bottles of Champagne, it was said.
    Some of his victims claimed their phones were taken away from them on arrival leaving them unable to call for help.
    Once inside, the women were allegedly treated as “disposable…used for sex then thrown to one side”.

    But his lawyer Eleanor Laws KC told jurors to end Mendy’s “absolute hell” and acquit him.
    She said claims he used his fame to attack women – with the prosecution comparing him to Jimmy Savile – were “utterly ridiculous”. More

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    Benjamin Mendy CLEARED of raping women at mansion after Man City star accused of ‘locking victims in panic rooms’

    BENJAMIN Mendy was today cleared by a jury of raping women at his isolated mansion during lockdown-busting parties.The Man City star was accused by prosecutors of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
    Benjamin Mendy has been cleared of six rapes and one sexual assaultCredit: Getty
    Mendy, 28, also allegedly locked his victims in a “panic room” and hid their phones so they could not escape.
    But the French international, who covered his face with his hands in the dock, was today found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault against four women.
    Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims after 67 hours and 17 minutes of deliberations.
    A re-trial, expected to last two to three weeks, has now been set for June 26, with a pre-trial hearing set to be held on January 27.
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    Earlier, Judge Everett brought jurors back into court and asked if they would reach further verdicts if given more time.
    The foreman of the jury replied: “No. We are at a point now where we can’t agree.”
    Judge Everett told them: “It is not unusual that jurors don’t reach verdicts on some counts. You have to be true to your duty.”
    Mendy, who remains in custody, is “delighted” to have been cleared of sex attacks on four women and “looks forward” to clearing his name at a re-trial, his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said.
    Most read in Football
    Man City also released a statement today following the verdicts.
    During a six-month trial, jurors were told by prosecutors that the left-back lured young women into “toxic and dangerous” situations at his six-bedroom Cheshire home.
    Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie acted as Mendy’s “fixer” by getting girls as young as 17 to attend the lockdown-busting parties after nights spent in the VIP sections of clubs drinking £1,500 bottles of champagne, it was alleged.
    Saha, 41, was found not guilty of three counts of rape relating to two teenagers. 
    Jurors failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against him by five other women.
    Some of the alleged victims claimed their phones were taken away from them on arrival leaving them unable to call for help.
    Once inside, the women were allegedly treated as “disposable… used for sex then thrown to one side”.
    But his lawyer Eleanor Laws KC told jurors to end Mendy’s “absolute hell” and acquit him.
    She said claims he used his fame to attack women – with the prosecution comparing him to Jimmy Savile – were “utterly ridiculous”.
    Ms Laws told the court: “He’s not the kind of character to deliberately harm anyone under any circumstances.
    “If you are not sure he’s a predatory monster, he’s entitled to acquittal.
    “It is one word against another.
    “His life as he knew it is over, in football, in the UK – these accusations, he will never escape.”
    A number of famous faces were dragged into the trial – including Mendy’s Man City teammates.
    One of the women claimed she had sex with England hero Jack Grealish at an “after party”.
    She later texted her pal: “Ha ha ha I have slept with Jack Grealish.”
    Kyle Walker was also at one of the parties at Mendy’s mansion in July 2021.
    MANSION PARTIES
    City manager Pep Guardiola was sensationally called to give evidence – and described Mendy as a “really good boy”.
    The gaffer also told jurors he was “not happy” about the player’s parties.
    But he added: “I control my players when we are together in training sessions. In their private life, I don’t know what they do.
    “I don’t follow the players on social media so I don’t know what they are doing outside my control in training sessions and in games.”
    He continued: “I’m not his father.”
    During Mendy’s own sensational evidence, he said it was “honestly, so easy” for him to meet up with women and have sex “because of the status”.
    The French international claimed the attention became “10 times more” when he began playing for Man City and admitted he is “no Brad Pitt”.
    He also told jurors he would often sleep with different women on the same night, admitting: “For me it was normal, I realised just now it sounds bad.”
    The jury heard the player boasted to one alleged victim that he had slept with “10,000” women and told her it was a “privilege” to be one of them.  
    Mendy, who missed the World Cup, was bailed in January last year after spending 134 days in custody following his arrest in August 2021.
    He continued to be selected by City for 10 months after his first arrest for rape, playing or being part of nearly 50 match squads.
    But after he was charged, City stopped paying his wages a month later, forcing him to sell his Lamborghini Aventador to pay for his legal fees. 
    Premier League champions City spent a reported £49.2million signing Mendy from French side Monaco in 2017.
    He last played for the club on August 15, 2021, during their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at the start of last season.
    In September 2020, City boss Guardiola revealed Mendy would be out of the game for at least a month due to an injury.
    In a statement, the club later said: “Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation.
    “The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete.”
    A spokesperson added after today’s verdicts: “Manchester City FC notes the verdict from Chester Crown Court today, where a jury has found Benjamin Mendy not guilty of seven charges.
    “The jury is hung on two charges and the trial is now over.

    “Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time.”
    The Crown Prosecution Service has seven days to consider a retrial.
    Mendy was suspended by Man City in the wake of the allegationsCredit: PA
    The footballer missed the World Cup for FranceCredit: Instagram
    Louis Saha Matturie was accused of acting as Mendy’s ‘fixer’Credit: Getty More

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    Gervonta Davis is turning into a mini-monster hell-bent on taking Mike Tyson’s tag as boxing’s Baddest Man on the Planet

    GERVONTA DAVIS is a tiny tearaway who is big trouble inside and outside the ring.He is rapidly turning into a mini-monster who seems hell-bent on taking over Mike Tyson’s role as boxing’s “Baddest Man on the Planet.”
    Gervonta Davis battered Hector Garcia earlier this monthCredit: AP
    Davis was arrested in Florida last month and charged with domestic violenceCredit: AP
    Though 2023 is not yet two weeks old Davis, who is just 5ft 5in tall, is already staking a claim to be a candidate to be named Fighter of the Year – that’s if he isn’t serving a long jail sentence.
    Eleven days before he defended his WBA regular world lightweight title last Saturday, Davis was arrested in Florida and, not for the first time, charged with domestic violence spending the night in a prison cell. 
    A distraught woman, said to be the mother of his daughter, had called police begging for help and screaming: “He’s going to kill me.”
    Davis, released on a bail bond and completely unfazed by the experience and the serious disruption to his preparation, battered Hector Garcia so severely he retired on his stool at the end of the eighth round in front of a 19,000 sell-out crowd at Washington DC’s Capital One Arena.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Floyd Mayweather Jr’s protege’s remarkable unbeaten record is now 28-0 with 26 KO’s.
    Davis is a ferocious punching pocket-battleship who fires explosive missiles with both hands.
    It was obvious he was an exceptional talent to those fortunate to see him destroy Liam Walsh in less than three rounds when he defended his world super-featherweight crown at East London’s Copper Box, six years ago.
    Since then, Davis has been arrested on numerous occasions for several offences including aggravated assault. 
    Most read in Boxing
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    He is due to appear at Baltimore Circuit Court, on February 16, where he will face 14 counts relating to a hit-and-run offence.
    It is alleged he smashed his Lamborghini SUV into another car putting the four occupants in hospital.
    If he should be found guilty on all 14 charges he could be sent to prison for seven years.
    Not that Davis believes he will be convicted – he has already agreed to meet the equally brilliant unbeaten Ray Garcia this spring – it is said to be in Las Vegas on April 15.
    Davis, 28, started boxing as a five-year-old and is a product of Baltimore’s most crime-ridden ghetto.
    He appears to be trying to emulate his mentor Mayweather – who has also had problems with law and order – with an ostentatious lifestyle.
    Davis with one of his fleet of luxury vehiclesCredit: Instagram / @gervontaa
    Davis car collection is part of his ostentatious lifestyleCredit: Instagram / @gervontaa
    Among Gervonta’s fleet of luxury vehicles – besides the Lamborghini – is a £280,000 Rolls Royce, a Ferrari, a Corvette Stingray, a USSV Rhino GX with inbuilt TV and a Range Rover.
    He is tattooed all over his body from the neck down – and he’s most proud of the gorilla face on his chest.
    And he never goes out without being adorned with millions of dollars-worth of diamond-encrusted necklaces, rings and designer watches. 
    Heavyweights Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois, will once again be the dominate force in the next 12 months.
    But for purist fans the lightweight division will grab their attention – it’s loaded with outstanding exciting unbeaten talent.
    Davis is a ferocious punching pocket-battleship who fires explosive missiles with both hands
    Apart from Davis and Ray Garcia, the undisputed champion is Devin Haney, 29-0, 15 KO’s, and the superb southpaw craftsman Shakur Stevenson, 19-0, 9 KO’s.
    Read More on The Sun
    If only they can be persuaded to fight each other they would rival the four Kings, Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran who had nine fights between them and captivated millions in the 1980s.
    Fury and the rest of the large lumps will get most of the publicity but as a wise man said: “Small men can cut very large shadows.”
    Davis is heavily tattooed from the neck downCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Brothers of Marcus Rashford & Trent Alexander-Arnold battered with baseball bat by three men in terrifying raid

    MARCUS Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brothers were hit with a bat and had a gun pointed at them in a “terrifying” robbery.Tariq Dervan, Romario Harmer and Talleko Lemonious attacked Dane Rashford and Tyler Alexander-Arnold at a Manchester café.
    Rashford’s brother Dane had a gun pointed at him in a terrifying raidCredit: instagram/Marcus Rashford
    Tyler Alexander-Arnold – brother of star Trent – was also attacked
    The pair had just sat down to eat breakfast with three pals when they were ambushed by the masked robbers.
    Tyler – brother of Liverpool star Trent – was smacked in the head with a baseball bat so hard the handle broke off.
    While Man Utd ace Marcus’ brother Dane “feared for his life” after a shotgun was pointed at his face.
    The masked raiders then made off with a £70,000 Range Rover and jewellery including a £20,000 Rolex.
    Read more news
    Dervan, 22, Harmer, 21, and 28-year-old Lemonious have now been found guilty over the robbery.
    The trio have also been convicted of possessing a double barrelled shotgun, as well as having a machete and a baseball bat.
    All three were warned they face “lengthy” jail sentences when they return for sentencing on March 20.
    Minshull Street Crown Court were told Dane and Tyler had met with pals on January 12, 2019 for breakfast at the Little Rock cafe.
    Most read in Football
    The group of five had been planning to drive to Brighton to watch Liverpool play when the horror unfolded.
    Dervan, Harmer, and Lemonious burst into the restaurant armed with the baseball bat and sawn-off shotgun.
    They also threatened Dane and Tyler with a machete and demanded they hand over their watches.
    Tyler, who was not wearing a watch, handed over his wallet instead and the keys to his £70,000 Range Rover.
    The thugs then made Dane take off his £20,000 Rolex and a £4,000 watch belonging to one of his pals.
    Recalling the horror, Dane said he could not see what was happening but felt a “prick” on his back before he saw the gun being “pointed towards my face”.
    Tyler meanwhile said he heard a shout of “get your watch off” before the baseball bat connected with the side of his head.
    The violent robbery lasted just a few minutes, with the trio fleeing the cafe in the stolen Range Rover and a BMW.
    Police later managed to track the stolen 4X4 to a property where six men – including the defendants – were inside.
    Dervan, Harmer and Lemonious surrendered but no further action was taken against the other three men.
    During a search of the home, officers discovered the ski masks used in the attack, a machete and the shotgun in a bag in some bushes.
    Carl Miles, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said following the trial: “Talleko Lemonious, Tariq Dervan and Romario Harmer carried out a terrifying armed robbery at a café in broad day light.
    “In their greed, they showed utter disregard for the impact on their targeted victims and other customers and staff in the cafe, who genuinely feared for their lives, and were not afraid to use violence to get what they wanted.
    “We worked closely with the police to build a strong case against them, including DNA and CCTV evidence, which we presented to the jury. After careful consideration of this evidence the jury found all three men guilty of all the offences they faced.
    Read More on The Sun
    “I would like to thank the victims for their help in bringing these violent men to justice in order to protect the public from further harm at his hands.
    “I hope that the conclusion of the trial helps them move forward with their lives.”
    Tyler was hit with a baseball bat in the raidCredit: Tyler Alexander-Arnold /Twitter More

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    Major update in Benjamin Mendy rape case as Manchester City star awaits verdict

    JURORS in Benjamin Mendy’s rape trial have been told they can return a majority verdict.The Manchester City footballer, 28, has been accused of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
    Jurors are still deliberating in the Benjamin Mendy rape trialCredit: AFP
    Jurors at Chester Crown Court have so far been deliberating for 12 days.
    The judge has now ruled they can deliver a majority verdict, which means the result does not have to be unanimous.
    Instead, a majority selection of the jury panel can agree on the verdict.
    Mendy is accused of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.

    The star allegedly locked women in “panic rooms” at his mansion in Cheshire while hosting parties.
    Some of his alleged victims claim their phones were taken away from them on arrival, which the prosecution say left them unable to call for help.
    Mendy previously told the court it was “honestly, so easy” for him to meet up with women and have sex “because of the status”.
    The French international said the attention became “10 times more” when he began playing for Man City while admitting he is “no Brad Pitt”.
    Most read in Football
    He also told jurors he would often sleep with different women on the same night, admitting: “For me it was normal, I realised just now it sounds bad.”
    Mendy is on trial with co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 41, who was an alleged “fixer” in charge of finding women for sex.
    He denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
    Both men say if any sex did take place with women or girls it was consensual.
    The trial continues.
    Mendy denies the sex claims made against himCredit: Reuters More

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    Bolton Wanderers ace Kyle Dempsey & his dad ‘punched and kneed bouncer in face’

    A FOOTBALLER and his dad punched and kneed a bouncer in the face, a court heard.Daryl Jarvis was left with chipped teeth and bruised ribs in the attack by Bolton Wanderers ace Kyle Dempsey and dad Mick, it was said.
    A court heard Kyle Dempsey and his dad punched and kneed a bouncer in the faceCredit: Rex
    The pair were arrested following an altercation in Maryport, Cumbria, on July 16 last year.
    Kyle, 27, of Blackpool, Lancs, and former rugby league player Michael, 50, of Maryport, appeared at Workington magistrates’ court yesterday.
    Both spoke only to confirm their details.
    Their solicitor entered not guilty pleas on their behalf to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm.
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    They were bailed to appear at Carlisle crown court next month. More

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    Benfica ‘under investigation for MATCH-FIXING across four-year span with president Rui Costa embroiled in case’

    BENFICA are under investigation for suspected match-fixing, reports suggest.According to Portuguese media, that relates to a timeframe between 2016 until 2020 and all of the club’s members from that period and thereafter are allegedly embroiled.
    Benfica are under investigation for match-fixing allegationsCredit: Reuters
    Benfica president Rui Costa has been embroiled in the latest investigationCredit: Getty
    This comes just a year-and-a-half after the Primeira Liga side’s long-time president Luis Filipe Vieira was forced to resign in disgrace.
    Vieira was arrested on charges relating to tax evasion, aggravated fraud, forgery and money laundering.
    Club legend Rui Costa succeeded him and his appointment was supposed to hail in a new era of transparency.
    According to the Daily Mail, however, Benfica’s new president Costa is also allegedly embroiled in the investigation.
    Read More on Football
    The investigation has stemmed from prosecutors accessing hacked emails.
    The club have also reportedly appeared in court once the proceedings became active.
    Benfica released the following statement: “Taking into account the news made public today, Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol SAD confirms that it appeared in court on January 3, as well as, among others, the members of the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2020 and who are currently in office.
    “Benfica SAD will not comment further as the trial is under legal secrecy.
    Most read in Football
    “Benfica expresses its total willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities, as has always happened up to now.”
    This comes after sensational reports back in 2018 claiming that Benfica offered prostitutes to referees in a bid to gain favour with an ex-Portuguese FA chief. More

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    My footballer ex-boyfriend Fisayo Adarabioyo threatened to kill me when I told him I was pregnant – I was terrified

    A MUM has revealed how her footballer ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her when she discovered she was pregnant.Fisayo Adarabioyo, 27, turned up at his ex-partner’s home in Cheshire and banged on the door leaving her terrified.
    Fisayo Adarabioyo threatened to kill his pregnant exCredit: Rex
    The ex-Crystal Palace player, whose brother Tosin plays for Fulham, also chucked gravel at her windows as he demanded to be let in.
    Adarabioyo later bombarded her with texts, telling her: “If you tell anyone I’ll kill you”.
    He also messaged his ex, saying: “Just kill yourself – everyone will be happier”.
    Adarabioyo, who also played for Macclesfield Town FC, was convicted of harassment without violence on Tuesday, MEN reports.
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    His ex has now bravely spoken of her ordeal after the footballer was handed a 12-month community order.
    She said they met through social media and began a “casual” relationship in 2019.
    The mum, who has a child from a previous relationship, said it was never serious as there was an 11-year age gap.
    She ended things in December 2021 but later discovered she was pregnant.
    Most read in Football
    The woman said she tried contacting Adarabioyo after deciding to keep the baby but her first attempt was unsuccessful.
    She then decided to send the striker a text letting him know the news.
    The ex said: “I was nearly 24 weeks pregnant at this point. His reaction was shocking and scary.”
    Later that night, Adarabioyo showed up at her home and banged on the front door demanding to be let in.
    After he finally left the property, he then sent dozens of vile text messages urging the woman to kill herself.
    Another said: “I genuinely hope you die.”
    The terrified mum called police after Adarabioyo also made 45 attempts to call her.
    In a powerful victim impact statement, she told how she has since given birth to a baby daughter.
    She added: “When I hear a noise at night, I feel worried he has come back.
    “I just wanted to do the right thing letting him know he was going to be a father.”
    As well as the community order, Adarabioyo was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £200 compensation and £640 court costs.
    Read More on The Sun
    A 12-month restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or going near her home was also imposed.
    The woman was bombarded with texts (stock image)Credit: Getty
    The footballer told her to kill herselfCredit: Rex More