Ex-Premier League footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of rape in court.

The former Manchester City left-back reportedly broke down in tears after the verdict.

The 23-year-old has been accused of rape and attempted rape by multiple women over the past few years.

Judge Steven Everett responded: “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock."

The trial that Mendy went through was a re-trial, as he had been previously cleared by a jury earlier in the year.

His lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, said: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focussing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumor and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.

“This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.

“It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter. Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong but the process has, inevitably had a serious impact on him.

“He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life."