This moment had to come. Benjamin Mendy will play an official football match again, two months after the end of his long legal proceedings for rape accusations. More than two years after his last appearance on the pitch, with Manchester City in August 2021.
The 29-year-old left back will probably be on the FC Lorient team sheet to face Monaco on Sunday (1 p.m.). “We are arriving at a moment where he is ready to apply,” said his trainer, Régis Le Bris, at a press conference. He has gone through the different stages of preparation. He is in good condition.”
It remains to be seen under what conditions the 2018 world champion will be welcomed. During the night from Thursday to Friday, new hostile banners were put up in the city of Lorient by the “Collectif2lorient”. “Victims we believe you”, we can read, or even “Supporters for justice”.
Regis Le Bris is not worried about the reception that could be reserved for his player. “I have no preconceptions about the public’s reception. I think it can go well. The heavy climate? I don’t fear it. Could these messages have an impact on him? Benjamin experienced a previous media campaign of a completely different order. Today, the case has been closed, we want to concentrate on football.
