The Manchester City left-back, Benjamin Mendy, 27, appeared in court in late August charged with sex attacks on three women.

One of the alleged assaults is said to have happened days before he appeared in the dock.

Now Louis Saha Matturie, 40, has appeared before magistrates in Chester after he was this weekend charged with four rapes.

Matturie, who is originally from Sierra Leone and was described in court as Mendy’s “runner”, was arrested last month – shortly after the footballer’s first appearance.

The defendant, who wept during proceedings, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

His lawyer submitted a bail application – but it was rejected and Matturie was remanded into custody.

A Chesire Police spokesman said: “The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Cheshire Constabulary to charge a second man in connection with allegations of sexual assault.”

“The charges relate to three complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between April 2021 and August 2021.”

“Matturie, of Eccles, has been remanded in custody.”

He will appear alongside Mendy at Chester Crown Court on Friday.

The French World Cup winner (Benjamin Mendy) was arrested after a 17-year-old girl alleged she had been sexually abused at his £5m mansion this August.

Mendy, 27, was immediately suspended by Manchester City after he was then charged with four counts of rape and one sexual assault.

The charges, alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021, relate to three complainants.

Mendy appeared in court on August 27. The court was told he allegedly raped a teen during a party at his home.

The alleged offence took place while Mendy was already on bail.

PAIR IN THE DUCK

Mendy is accused of raping a woman last October, as well as a sexual assault in January.

The football ace showed no emotion as he was remanded in custody following the hearing.

Hours after his appearance in court, Cheshire Constabulary said a second man has been quizzed by detectives.

Cops said a 40-year-old man was being held “in connection to an ongoing investigation into sexual offences”.

French international Mendy was arrested last November at his £5million home in Prestbury, Cheshire.

He was then released pending further investigation before being re-arrested and charged last month.

Mendy, who earns £90,000 a week, has been remanded in custody.

RAPE CHARGES

He arrived at court in a prison van with a police escort on August 27.

The player, who wore a red hoodie and black jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

In a statement, the club 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.”

Premier League champions Man City spent a reported £49.2million signing Mendy from French side Monaco in 2017.

He last played for the club on August 15 during their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham at the start of the season.

In September last year City boss Pep Guardiola revealed Mendy would be out of the game for at least a month due to an injury.