Ligue 1 roundup: Benjamin Mendy returns after 2 years, boos for Marseille

Benjamin Mendy, acquitted in a sex offences trial in England in July, played his first game in two years on Sunday when he came on as a substitute for Lorient against Monaco in Ligue 1.

The 29-year-old France international and former Manchester City player was introduced 70 minutes into his new club’s 2-2 draw with the Ligue 1 leaders.

Lorient were trailing 2-1 when Mendy came on, but the defender played a part in Romain Faivre’s equalising goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time in Brittany.

His last competitive game before Sunday was back in August 2021 in the Premier League for City against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mendy’s acquittal two months ago ended a three-year court process.

The former Marseille and Monaco left-back signed for Lorient on a two-year deal a week after his trial ended.

The player, who would have faced a lengthy jail term if convicted, had previously been cleared in January of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault following a six-month trial.

Full Story »