English Premier league and FIFA world cup winner Benjamin Mendy after losing three years of his professional footballing career to allegations of rape and abuse which saw his arrest and ousting from football has made a return to the pitch days after he was acquitted of charges.
The French international whose words after been acquitted got everyone thinking was “Alhamdullillah”. Many journalists tried to get the player to give a message to his fans but kept mute while he walked away.
Following his release, may football players questioned what is going to happen next after three fruitful years of his professional career was wasted whiles he was charged with allegations which turned out to be false.
Memphis Depay who wasn’t having the entire process added his voice drawing many others to follow suit. On his twitter handle, Depay quizzed,
“Lets talks about it! All cases dismissed. So what are we doing now?
Who is going to help this brother heal now?, Who’s going to be responsible for the damage on his name?.
How he’s going to have he’s career back? Many years of investment to become a professional football player…. Now what!?
I’ve never touched on this subject because I didn’t know all the details, but I’ve spoken to him once true FaceTime while behind bars and faced him on the pitch a couple times.. I didn’t see any evil in the man.
We can’t accept this to happen to us as athletes.. Who’s going to stand up for us in the time of need not when the damage is already done?
Don’t turn your head people.”
Whiles many were thinking of Mendy’s next move, the former Manchester City player was looking at his next startup as he pens down a contract with French Ligue 1 side Lorient. His move the the Ligue 1 will help the player get back to his old days of playing whiles he builds back his career from the scratch.
It is refreshing to see Mendy finally able to get back to his profession knowing that he has been cleared of all charges that was levied against him whiles he picks it one day at a time to rebuild his football journey.
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
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