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Benjamin Mendy has made his return to soccer after two years out of the sport.
The previous Manchester Metropolis and France defender got here off the bench for Lorient as a second half substitute towards ex-side Monaco in Ligue 1.
Mendy, 29, had been accused of finishing up intercourse assaults on two girls at his £4million mansion.
He was cleared after three hours of deliberation by a jury at Chester Crown Court docket in July – and broke down within the dock afterwards earlier than saying he was ‘delighted’ with the not responsible verdicts.
He got here on as an alternative to Lorient within the 71st minute of their recreation on Sunday.
Benjamin Mendy has made his return to soccer as an alternative to Lorient towards Monaco
Mendy signed for Lorient 5 days after being cleared of rape in July as he made his return to soccer in France
Mendy signed for Lorient 5 days after his trial ended in the summertime.
He signed a two-year take care of the Ligue 1 aspect following his launch from Manchester Metropolis, the place he made 75 appearances after becoming a member of in 2017 for £52million.
The left-back had been acquitted of six rapes and one sexual assault ranking to 4 girls throughout a primary trial, which lasted 4 months, however confronted a retrial on two separate counts.
Mendy wept when he was cleared of all expenses. His lawyer, Eleanor Legal guidelines KC, had stated that the left again’s profession in English soccer was ‘over’ and he sealed a transfer to Lorient, who completed mid-table final season.
The defender got here on within the 71st minute of the sport together with his new aspect trailing 2-1 within the recreation
He was on the sector for his aspect’s 98th minute equaliser towards the Ligue 1 desk toppers
Within the recreation, Lorient took the lead within the second minute when Tosin Aiyegun netted towards the league leaders.
Monaco hit again although and dominated proceedings, with Aleksandr Golovin equalising after 17 minutes for the visitiors.
Lorient held their very own till the 69th minute when substitute and former Arsenal ahead Folarin Balogun scored following his £38million transfer this summer time.
Mendy got here on for Vincent Le Goff with 19 minutes of regular time remaining, and was on the sector when his aspect netted a 98th minute equaliser by way of Romain Faivre.
