Triumphant Return: Benjamin Mendy Steps Back onto the Pitch After Acquittal

French defender Benjamin Mendy has made a triumphant return to football after a two-year hiatus. The former Manchester City and France defender marked his comeback by coming off the bench as a second-half substitute for Lorient against his former club Monaco in Ligue 1.

Mendy, aged 29, had faced serious accusations of sexual assault on two women at his £4 million mansion. However, he was cleared of all charges after a three-hour jury deliberation at Chester Crown Court in July. Following his acquittal, Mendy expressed his joy at the not guilty verdicts.

His return to the pitch occurred during the 71st minute of Lorient's match on Sunday, September 17. Mendy had signed a two-year contract with Lorient shortly after his trial concluded in the summer. This move followed his departure from Manchester City, where he made 75 appearances after joining the club for £52 million in 2017.

Mendy's legal ordeal involved accusations of six rapes and one sexual assault from four women during an initial trial that spanned four months. Although he was acquitted on most counts, he faced a retrial on two separate charges.