Colin Abgrall, edited by Ophélie Artaud
The trial of the former Manchester defender, accused of rape by eight women, attempted rape and sexual assault, opens this Wednesday in England. The former world champion, used to the world of the night, has been under judicial control since the beginning of the year. He faces life imprisonment.
Four years ago, he was crowned world champion with the France team. Today, he is accused of rape. The trial of footballer Benjamin Mendy opens this Wednesday in England. The 28-year-old full-back is accused of rape by eight women, plus attempted rape and sexual assault. Facts that would have taken place between 2018 and 2021 and for which he faces life imprisonment. A real descent into hell for Benjamin Mendy, who nevertheless had a great promising career ahead of him.
A regular at night outings
On September 9, 2018, France, world champion, celebrates its second star. And it is the whole Stade de France which takes up the name of Benjamin Mendy in chorus. To understand the decline of the player, we must return to his personality. Benjamin Mendy is the game, the entertainer, who sets the mood with his portable speaker never far away to make the locker room dance. Not really footballer caps for the one who was once the most expensive defender in history.
A personality that also shows an appetite for the world of the night. His manager in Manchester, Pep Guardiola, paid little attention to it when his player was found in a nightclub at 4 a.m. the day before a match in 2018. “They are old enough to know what what they have to do. I’m not their father. I would prefer them to go home early, but I don’t control the players in this situation,” the coach said.
Outings that weigh. Injuries and physical deformity follow one another. Mendy plays less and in August 2021, the native of Longjumeau hits rock bottom. He is suspended by Manchester on four rape charges. Incarcerated in September before being released under judicial supervision in January 2022. In the meantime, six other charges target the French player and in barely four years, Benjamin Mendy goes from promises for the future of football to alleged sexual predator. An unparalleled fall in the world of football.