The French international Benjamin Mendyacquitted this year by British courts of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault while playing in England, started for the first time this season in Lorientlost on Sunday 4-2 to Marseilles at the party of matchday 15.
The 2018 world champion, 29, whose acquisition this summer by the French club sparked controversy, has not started a game since mid-August 2021, when he signed a contract with Manchester City. He scored in the 52nd minute, but his goal could not prevent defeat.
Mendy, the most expensive defender in history when he was recruited by the Citizens in 2017, was accused of several rapes and sexual assaults in August 2021, immediately suspended by his English club and jailed in August 2021, which spent four months in preventive detention.
Although he has consistently denied the facts and twice won a total acquittal from the British justice system, in January and then in June, the hearings lifted the veil on a lifestyle that seemed far removed from those demands expected of a top athlete. His two consecutive acquittals ended all proceedings brought against him by the British courts.
He left Manchester City on a free transfer and, when he signed for Lorient for two seasons, the reactions were less than positive. Since his arrival, several graffiti campaigns have been carried out on the walls surrounding the Lorient stadium, directed at him or denouncing sexist violence in football.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
