Five Manchester City players could prevent Benjamin Mendy from being sentenced to life in jail

SUSPENDED Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy has taken his place in the dock to stand trial at Chester Crown Court in England on eight counts of rape and one sexual assault alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2021.

Mendy's trial is expected to last approximately 15 weeks, with eight men and six women having already been selected as jurors.

The Athletic have reported that up to five of Mendy's Manchester City teammates - from past and present - could be called as witnesses, as Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and John Stones could all be present in the trial.

According to the Daily Mail, the jurors were asked about whether they had any relationship with the players who played alongside Mendy at Man City.

What sentence could Benjamin Mendy face?

The sentence Benjamin Mendy could face could range from five to 20 years in prison, but a life sentence can't be ruled out.

Mendy, who joined Manchester City from Monaco in 2017, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of sexual offences. He was suspended by the Sky Blues after police charged him on August 26, 2021.