2023-07-14 22:44:13
The verdict was handed down this Friday by British justice: Benjamin Mendy, French international and defender at the end of the contract at Manchester City, was declared not guilty of rape and attempted rape after three weeks of trial in Chester (North of England).
If the 28-year-old Frenchman, who was incarcerated at the end of August 2021 and spent more than four months in pre-trial detention, wanted to “thank the members of the jury for having focused on the evidence in this trial rather than rumors and insinuations who have accompanied this case from the beginning”, according to his lawyers. Footballers also took the floor to express their support for him. This is particularly the case of Paul Pogba, who rubbed shoulders with Mendy in the France team. The French international midfielder from Juventus Turin sent a message on his Instagram account: “So happy for you, my brother. All the people who spoke badly of you, now I want to see them clear your name. Can’t wait to see you back on the pitch. »
“Who is going to help this brother heal? »
La Pioche is not the only one to have spoken. Memphis Depay, former OL striker now under contract with Atlético de Madrid, wanted to express his concern about the rest of Mendy’s life: “Who will help this brother to heal? Who will be liable for damages caused to his name? How will he get his career back? I FaceTimed him once while he was behind bars and confronted him on the court several times. I saw no harm in him. Let’s not turn our heads, ”he posted on Twitter.
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
The Dutchman’s post has been widely shared on social media, including by other football players, who therefore also support Benjamin Mendy. Among them, his former teammate at the Citizens Jack Grealish, but also the Bosnian international Miralem Pjanic. The Marseillais Amine Harit also posted a photo of the former Monegasque on his Instagram story.
Mendy had been retried since late June on two charges on which the jury failed to reach a verdict after the first trial last January. He was accused of the rape of a 24-year-old woman in October 2020 and of the attempted rape of a 29-year-old woman two years earlier, charges which he strongly contested, assuring that these relations, which took place at his home, were granted.
The defender with 10 selections with the Blues, had been suspended by Manchester City who did not renew his contract expiring on June 30.
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