SUMMARY
- Benjamin Mendy faced allegations of r*pe that led to his suspension and imprisonment.
- After a five-month trial, Mendy was signed with FC Lorient in the French Ligue 1 for a two-season deal.
The greatest dreams of Benjamin Mendy came true. He had accomplished what every player dreams of, rising to the top of world soccer only days before turning 24. Mendy, who came from modest origins in the suburbs of Paris, raised the World Cup championship with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba in a star-studded French team.
A few weeks prior, he had secured the Premier League title with Manchester City during his inaugural year, having signed a £50 million ($55 million) contract. This success quickly turned out after Mendy was quizzed with r*pe allegations put on him.
🗣️ Benjamin Mendy: “In prison, you only do one thing: Think. I had £4 a day, I spent it in the canteen. In my life before, I could have anything I wanted.
I learned the value of money. I was sad in prison but I learned a lot of things.” pic.twitter.com/mGRhEbhffj
— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) March 5, 2024
City suspended their player and stopped paying his salary after learning of the rape charges. That was the time that would bring Mendy to his worst failure. From August 2022 until January 2023, Mendy was imprisoned and placed on remand for over four months.
Mendy said, “In prison, you only do one thing: Think. I had £4 a day, I spent it in the canteen. In my life before, I could have anything I wanted. I learned the value of money. I was sad in prison but I learned a lot of things.” Following a five-month trial, he was unanimously found not guilty of six charges of s*xual assault against women, four counts of ra*e, and one additional act of assault against a fifth woman.
Benjamin Mendy joins a new club days after he was found not guilty
A jury at Chester Crown Court found the former Premier League player and World Cup champion with France not guilty of attempted and actual ra*e in 2023. The 29-year-old’s signing was confirmed by FC Lorient, a team in French Ligue 1. An FC Lorient spokesman said in a statement:
“The club is pleased to announce today the signing for two seasons of French international left-back Benjamin Mendy. After passing a medical examination, Mendy comes to reinforce the team for this new season.”
Let never Forget How Dirty Man City did Benjamin Mendy.
Pep is known for Not Respecting African Players.
Eto,Yaya, Mandy… pic.twitter.com/9Ua8ZoKUav— KANAN (@ThaRealKanan) March 2, 2024
In 2017, Mendy made history as the most expensive defender in the Premier League when City paid Monaco £52 million for him. He was a member of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018 and won three titles with Manchester City.
Mendy last appeared on the field for the reigning Premier League champions in August 2021, and the Manchester club dismissed him when his contract expired at the end of June.
Benjamin Mendy is set to sue Manchester City for unpaid wages
In 2023, the 29-year-old former City defender filed a claim with the Employment Tribunal, alleging “unauthorized deductions from wages” after his 2021 charges of ra*e and se*ual assault. Up to the conclusion of his contract, which expired in June 2023, Mendy has been requesting the restoration of the salary he is entitled to.
🚨#BREAKING: Ex-Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy, has been found NOT GUILTY of rape and attempted rape.
Just another man who has had his career ruined due to false allegations.
When will this end? pic.twitter.com/gkNDr31b1o
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) July 14, 2023
A claim has been made, and Nick De Marco KC confirmed to Sky Sports News that he is representing the now-Lorient player. It remains to be seen what happens regarding Manchester City and Benjamin Mendy’s wages in the coming months/years.