Digest

SOCCER

City's Mendy stands trial for rape, assault

Manchester City and France defender Benjamin Mendy was standing trial Wednesday for the alleged rape and assault of seven women, which could see his playing career end in jail if convicted.

Mendy, 28, was due at Chester Crown Court in northwest England to face eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape, relating to seven young women.

He pleaded not guilty in May to nine of the 10 charges, but was subsequently hit with the further rape count which has not yet been put to him in a court.

All the alleged offenses are said to have taken place at Mendy's home address in Prestbury near Macclesfield, also in northwest England, between October 2018 and August last year.

He is standing trial before a jury along with his codefendant Louis Saha Matturie, 40, who has also pleaded not guilty.

Matturie denies eight counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault, relating to eight young women. His alleged offenses span from July 2012 to August last year.

RB Leipzig re-signs Chelsea flop Werner

RB Leipzig said on Tuesday it had signed former striker Timo Werner from Chelsea on a four-year deal.

Germany's Werner, 26, spent two seasons at the English club scoring 10 goals in 56 Premier League appearances.

According to reports, the Bundesliga club has paid 25 million pounds ($30.2 million) to re-sign its record scorer.

"I'm very happy to be able to play for RB Leipzig again," Werner said in a Leipzig statement. "I had a great time here between 2016 and 2020, when we performed brilliantly as newcomers in the league.

"It was a dignified departure for me to leave the club as record goalscorer, but that's in the past now and I'm looking ahead, because both I and the club have developed in the past two years," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the 53-time international announced his departure from Stamford Bridge, where he won the Champions League in 2021 but rarely lived up to expectations and struggled for consistency.

"Today marks the end of my journey with Chelsea. I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent at this special club," Werner said.

TENNIS

Back pain ends tearful Osaka's Toronto opener

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka retired from her opening match on Tuesday at the WTA Toronto Masters with lower back pain, raising injury concerns with the US Open looming.

Estonia's Kaia Kanepi advanced when Osaka retired trailing 7-6(4),3-0. Kanepi, a runner-up last week in Washington, needed 71 minutes on court as she broke three times before the Japanese star called it quits.

Defeat drove the emotional Osaka to tears.

"I felt my back from the start of the match and despite trying to push through it, I just wasn't able to today," Osaka said. "I'd like to pay credit to Kaia for playing well and want to wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."

BASKETBALL

Giannis' Greek treat enthralls Athens crowd

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points to lead Greece to an 86-70 drubbing of Spain in a friendly encounter on Tuesday evening at indoor Athens Olympic Stadium before 16,000 spectators.

The Milwaukee Bucks power forward gained his highest points performance ever with the Greek squad with seven of 10 free throws, 9 of 10 2-pointers and making two of three from beyond the arc.

"Giannis is a special case. He came very focused, with great appetite and great will. May he have good health. When this particular player goes low and plays defense on a 4/4 he is a living example," said Greece coach Dimitris Itoudis.

Antetokounmpo also had 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal in the 20 minutes he played in the contest.

It was his 50th appearance with the Greek team and his previous top score was 26 points.

Also hitting double figures in scoring for Greece was Dallas Mavericks guard Tyler Dorsey with 11 points.

Agencies