Since last week, the floor has no longer been for the prosecution but for the defense in the trial of Benjamin Mendy, accused of seven rapes, attempted rape and sexual assault against seven women. After the answers given by the footballer himself, the Chester Crown Court heard on Monday the testimony of the coach of the Citizens, Pep Guardiola.
Arrived at the beginning of the afternoon at the court, the Catalan coach spoke for about fifty minutes. He portrayed a player “with great potential”, whom he insisted on signing in the summer of 2017 and who “from day one” was embraced by the entire dressing room. “He’s a really good boy, a very generous person, always ready to help others,” Guardiola said, according to the transcript of the hearing. speak Manchester Evening News.
The former Barca manager was asked about how he dealt with extra-sporting matters with his players, such as when it emerged that Mendy had hosted parties at his home during the lockdown. “Of course, I was not happy. We spoke, and he admitted he hadn’t behaved well,” Guardiola replied.
“In private, I don’t know what they are doing”
But the latter however made it clear that the behavior of his group outside the training center was not his responsibility. ” I do not see them. My role is to control my players when we are together in training. In their private lives, I don’t know what they do. I don’t follow the players on social media, so I don’t know what they do outside of training and matches,” explained Pep. Before adding: “I am not his father. »
Finally, when asked about the reason for his presence in court, Guardiola simply replied: “He [Mendy] asked me to come here today, in front of all of you. “Last week, the player had tried to explain his behavior as follows:” I was crazy. I was taking risks. The parties, the Covid rules… It was like a train going at full speed and rolling without stopping until I went to prison, where I was alone for the first time, and where I I could think of all this for the first time. Benjamin Mendy, who pleads not guilty, faces life imprisonment.