Lorient left-back Benjamin Mendy (29) is edging closer to a return to competition this weekend. Les Merlus host Ligue 1 leaders AS Monaco on Sunday afternoon at 1pm CET.
According to Lorient head coach Régis Le Bris, Mendy is in line to make the playing squad on Sunday. “Benjamin had eight weeks and three days of physical training. He went through the various steps of preparation and he is in good condition. Will he be in the squad? It’s possible, he’s eligible“, said Le Bris in his pre-game press conference transcribed by Ouest-France. The Lorient manager is adamant that the 2018 World Cup winner will not start against Les Monégasques. Mendy has not played a single professional game for more than two years now.
Mendy sealed a shock return to Ligue 1 several days after being cleared of all charges of sexual crimes in July by the Chester Crown Court. The former Marseille and Monaco left-back signed a two-year deal with Lorient. The outlet understands that Mendy returned to full training at the start of the month.
Even if found innocent of all counts of sexual crimes held against him, Mendy remains at the receiving end of hostile banners displayed in Lorient. Ouest-France are reporting that, last night, a Lorient-based collective looking to denounce sexist and sexual acts of violence in football displayed banners in the Brittany town pointing the finger at Mendy.
Noël Le Graët and Luis Rubiales, who both resigned from their post as head of their country’s football federations amid accusations of lewd behavior towards women, were also targeted. “Victims we believe you“, “Mendy in the pubs, unease at Lorient”, “8 charges against Mendy” were some of the slogans displayed on those hostile banners.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
