As the clubs gear up for their pre-season campaigns, the soccer world received the news that French footballer Benjamin Mendy has been acquitted of charges of rape and attempted rape in a re-trial. In 2021, the Frenchman played his last game for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur and was suspended by the English champions later that month following his arrest.
After previously being found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in a trial in January, the 28-year-old has once again been found not guilty by a jury of six men and six women at Chester Crown Court.
Memphis Depay’s message to Benjamin Mendy
The former Barcelona striker Memphis Depay reacted with a strong message in support of the 28-year-old. After a criminal investigation of nearly three years, the French left-back got his name cleared from all the allegations which were put against him.
The former Manchester United forward asked several questions in his tweet, he said, “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 in his name? How he’s going to have his career back?”
He added, “I’ve never touched on this subject because I didn’t know all the details, but I’ve spoken to him once on 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.”
Benjamin Mendy
All cases dismissed.
So what are we doing now?
Who is going to help this brother heal?
Who’s going to be Responsable for the damage on he’s name?
How he’s going to have he’s career back?
Many years of investment to become a professional football player…. Now… pic.twitter.com/84kxF77RgY— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) July 14, 2023
Memphis Depay was not the only one to extend his support to the former Manchester City man. His fellow countryman, Paul Pogba also put out an Instagram post in support of Benjamin Mendy. The Juventus superstar said, “So happy for you br0ther, all the people that was talking bad about you now I wanna see them cleaning your name. Can’t wait to see you on the pitch again.”
R*pe allegations dismissed against Benjamin Mendy?
Earlier this year, the footballer was acquitted of sexual offenses against multiple women, although the jury was unable to reach a verdict on two charges. On Friday, the French footballer was found not guilty at a re-trial on one count of raping a woman and the attempted rape of another woman.
The 28-year-old denied the charges and said that the incidents were consensual. According to several reports, the Frenchman broke down as the verdict was announced and came out of the court hugging his friends who were there in support of him.
After the announcement of the verdict, the Frenchman’s legal advisors said, “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focusing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumors and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.” He added, “It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter. Benjamin Mendy has tried to remain strong, but the process has, inevitably had a serious impact on him.”
After being cleared of criminal charges, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for his football career. The French superstar is currently without a club, having been released by Manchester City after his contract expired.
