Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Denies Assault Charges Against Wife

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has denied assaulting his wife after appearing before magistrates over an alleged attack at the couple’s home.

The MK Dons winger, 34, is accused of assault by beating against his wife, Saira Mendez-Laing, at their luxury property in Shenstone, Staffordshire, in June.

Police were called to the address and the former Premier League forward, who previously played for Cardiff City and Wolves, was arrested and later charged.

Mendez-Laing appeared at Cannock magistrates’ court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by beating. Birmingham-born, he arrived at court on crutches and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

The court heard that Saira, the mother of his child, was allegedly struck repeatedly over the head and suffered an arm injury during the incident. The row is said to have started after a disagreement over a phone. Mendez-Laing denies any physical attack.

Charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service last month.

District Judge Joseph O’Connor granted the player conditional bail and listed the case for trial in January next year.

Mendez-Laing represents the Guatemala national team, qualifying through his mother and maternal grandmother, who were both born in the Central American country. He scored four goals in 20 Premier League appearances for Cardiff in the 2019/20 season before leaving the club in September 2020.

He married Saira in June last year, with MK Dons marking the occasion by posting a wedding photograph and congratulatory message on the club’s official social media channels.

MK Dons, currently 19th in League One, said it could not comment on an ongoing court case.