The Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has appeared in court to face a new allegation of attempted rape.
Mendy, who appeared in the dock at Chester crown court, is now accused of nine offences relating to six alleged victims.
A judge ruled that the new charge, one of attempted rape involving a new complainant, could be reported.
The France international 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.
Mendy, 27, of Prestbury, Cheshire, is accused of offences including seven counts of rape relating to four women, one of sexual assault and the latest charge.
Mendy joined City from Monaco in 2017 for a reported £52m, then a record fee for a defender, and has made 75 appearances. The club suspended him after he was charged.
Matturie, 40, of Eccles, Salford, 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. Judge Patrick Thompson set a further pre-trial hearing for 11 March.
