Manchester City soccer player Benjamin Mendy has been suspended from his team after he was charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The Cheshire Police announced the charges against the 27-year-old on Thursday ... saying three complainants accused the soccer player of sexually assaulting them between Oct. 2020 and Aug. 2021.
The police said Mendy will remain in custody ... and appear at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday.
After the shocking arrest, Man City released a statement ... explaining Mendy has been suspended indefinitely.
"Manchester City can confirm that following his being charged by police today, Benjamin Mendy has been suspended pending an investigation," club officials said.
"The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment until that process is complete."
Mendy signed with Man City in 2017 -- winning the English League Club twice and the Premier League three times.
Mendy was also a member of the 2018 France national team that won the World Cup.