Benjamin Mendy‘s Return to Football After Legal Battle Sparks Controversy
Benjamin Mendy, the Manchester City left-back, is set to make his return to competitive football after a legal battle that ignited controversy. Mendy was acquitted on July 14 of charges of rape and attempted rape in England. Now, he has been included in the FC Lorient squad and is expected to play against Tottenham on August 15, 2021, marking his first professional match in 763 days.
However, Mendy’s return has not been without controversy. Ahead of the match against AS Monaco on September 17, messages were found in the streets of Lorient, using protest techniques associated with French feminist movements. One message attacked Mendy and raised concerns about his presence in Lorient.
Another message targeted Monaco’s captain, Wissam Ben Yedder, who has also faced allegations of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. Ben Yedder denies these accusations. It is worth noting that Mendy, Ben Yedder, and Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back under investigation for rape allegations, have previously been targeted by similar messages in Lorient.
A recently founded group called Collectif2Lorient has led this campaign, calling for the exclusion of Mendy and other individuals accused of rape and assault from football clubs. The group highlights the low conviction rate for rapists in France, stating that only 1% of rapists are convicted.
FC Lorient had previously lodged a complaint for defamation after similar incidents occurred on August 19. However, this time, the club stated that there was no basis for a complaint. They did mention that they would take action if any defamatory remarks appeared.
Mendy’s signing with FC Lorient on July 19 came as a surprise and generated mixed reactions. While many acknowledged his sporting abilities, others expressed concerns about the club’s image and values. Some supporters see his arrival as a coup for Lorient, while others believe it compromises the club’s family-friendly and discreet reputation.
Lorient’s coach, Régis Le Bris, emphasized the importance of accepting the court’s ruling and not holding a new trial. The club continues to stand by Mendy and has found support from the French Sports Minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, who stressed the need to respect the rule of law.
In Monaco, the situation surrounding Ben Yedder remains unresolved. He was placed under investigation in August but is still playing for AS Monaco. The club has declined to comment on the matter due to ongoing legal proceedings. While Mendy’s return has sparked controversy, there has been limited reaction from supporters regarding Ben Yedder’s case.
It is worth noting that different football clubs handle situations like these differently. Manchester United placed one of its players, Antony, on a leave of absence while being investigated for assault charges against his former girlfriend. Similarly, the club parted ways with Mason Greenwood, even though he was cleared of attempted rape charges.
As Mendy and Ben Yedder continue their football careers amidst legal proceedings, the controversy surrounding their cases raises important questions about the intersection of sports, justice, and public opinion. Their situations highlight the need for balanced perspectives and a fair legal process to determine the outcomes.
In the meantime, Mendy prepares for his highly anticipated return to the pitch, while Ben Yedder continues to play for AS Monaco. The outcome of their legal battles will undoubtedly have a significant impact on their football careers and the public perception of their innocence or guilt.
