Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has joined French club FC Lorient on a two-year deal less than a week after being found not guilty of multiple rape charges.
The 29-year-old has not played competitive football for almost two years since starting for Manchester City in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on the opening day of the 2021-22 Premier League season on 15 August 2021.
Later that month, Mendy was charged with four counts of rape – later increased to seven and one count of attempted rape – and one count of sexual assault by Cheshire Police, leading to his suspension by City.
Mendy was cleared unanimously of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault in January before being cleared of the remaining charges on Friday 14 July at Chester Crown Court.
The left-back, who was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018, was officially released by City at the end of his contract on June 30 and has now joined Ligue 1 side Lorient on a free transfer.
A Lorient club statement read: “FC Lorient is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy.
“After having satisfied the traditional medical examination, Benjamin Mendy, world champion 2018, quadruple winner of the Premier League under the colours of Manchester City and French champion of Ligue 1 with Monaco in particular, comes to reinforce the Lorient workforce for this new season.
“The native of Longjumeau, who will wear number 5 with the Merlus, will take his first steps at Espace FCL today. Welcome Benjamin!”
Mendy previously played for Le Havre, Marseille and Monaco in France before joining City for £52m in 2017 – then a world record fee for a defender.
A number of high-profile footballers have offered their support to Mendy in the days since he was found not guilty.
Memphis Depay, the Atletico Madrid forward, wrote on Instagram: “All cases dismissed. So what are we doing now?
“Who is going to help this brother heal?
“Who’s going to be responsible for the damage on he’s[sic] name? How he’s going to have his career back?
“Many years of investment to become a professional football player…. Now what!?
“I’ve never touched on this subject because I didn’t know all the details, but I’ve spoken to him once true FaceTime while behind bars and faced him on the pitch a couple times.. I didn’t see any evil in the man.
“We can’t accept this to happen to us as athletes.
“Who’s going to stand up for us in the time of need not when the damage is already done? Don’t turn your head people.”
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand were among those to respond to Depay’s post with messages of support.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr wrote: “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through, Benjamin Mendy.
“You lost two years of your career, but that’s the least we can say… And the psychological damage? It is certain that your life will never be the same again.
“The culture of reputation destruction has claimed yet another victim. Until when will we be accused and condemned without having the right to a basic defence?
“Fake stories are created and spread without fact checking [which I personally felt a lot on this holiday] and the situation only gets worse
“Being responsible would be the minimum for any professional, but nowadays serious work has become an exception. There are no limits to get more clicks and engagement. My question is: what are we going to do to repair the damage?”
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/WZ527aB
Post a Comment