Pep Guardiola describes Benjamin Mendy as a “happy and humorous lad” during his rape trial. Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, told jurors that he had “no idea” what rape suspect Benjamin Mendy did off the field because he is “not his father.”
Mendy is a “happy and funny lad,” according to the Spanish football manager, and it would be “impossible to find anyone in the locker room who would speak negatively about him.” He stated that he was aware Mendy violated lockdown limits in 2020 by holding parties and that the two had a conversation.
“Of course, I wasn’t happy,” he explained. We discussed it, and he admitted that he had not done the right thing.”
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When questioned if he was aware of the allegations leveled against Mendy, Guardiola stated that the 28-year-old had asked him to be in court to provide character evidence, adding, “And that’s why I’m here.”
Mendy is accused of raping and sexually assaulting six different women at his residence in Mottram St Andrew on five separate occasions between October 2018 and August last year. Mendy is accused of rape on seven counts, attempted rape on one count, and sexual assault on one count.
Guardiola, 51, told jurors at Chester Crown Court this afternoon that he first noticed Mendy when he was playing for Monaco and beating Manchester City.
“As a club, we were tremendously impressed; he had the potential to play with us,” he remarked. I believe he is a generous young man who rapidly assimilated into the squad. I’d say he was content when he could assist the other [players]. “I remember that whenever you asked him to do something for a friend or the club, he was always able to do it.” And he’s a witty young man. He was the player who was the happiest the most – more than on the field – in training sessions.”
When Mendy’s lawyer Eleanor Laws KC asked Guardiola if he knew Mendy had a social life, Guardiola said, “I can see the players when we are together in training sessions.” In their personal lives
“We are 22 players – I cannot control them off the field, and if they are not ready to make training sessions, I will realize instantly,” he continued. That’s what I’m concerned about and paying attention to.”
When asked if Mendy’s social life had an impact on his performance, Guardiola responded, “I don’t know what the influence of his life outside the pitch was on the pitch, but of course, I try to demand the best of him – sometimes he delivered to us, sometimes he didn’t.”
Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Salford, is Mendy’s co-accused. He denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against seven young women.
