Mendy is back to football! After acquittal, he will play in Ligue 1

Benjamin Mendy has a new engagement. After being acquitted of all rape charges, he returns to top-flight football, given a second chance at a career by Lorient in Ligue 1.

For two years, Benjamin Mendy was in hell. He was locked up in a cell, his future prospects slim, his career all but closed. He had eight rape charges and one assault charge against him.

Seven of the charges were dropped in the last six months, so Mendy went on trial last week on one charge of rape and one charge of assault.

But the court in Chester declared Mendy not guilty, leaving the Frenchman in tears of happiness. Years at Manchester City, who recently terminated his contract, won’t bring him back, but at least he has a chance of a comeback.

He has signed for two years with FC Lorient, who play in Ligue 1. Last season the team finished in tenth place.

The big challenge for Mendy will be to return to his old form. The Frenchman, who spent his time in one of the toughest prisons in England, has been without a game for 703 days, almost two years.

He played his last game on 15 August 2021, the Citizens lost 1-0 to Tottenham then. He arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Monaco for 57.5 million euros.

Mendy has received a lot of support from his star teammates. Memphis Depay, Vinicius Junior, Jack Grealish, Antonio Rüdiger, Ivan Rakitic and Stewen Bergwijn have all publicly expressed their support for him.

Source: FC Lorient