Benjamin Mendy Could Play Again for France

Didier Deschamps, the manager of the French national team, is not ruling out the possibility of a return for Benjamin Mendy, despite the recent legal case involving him.

After being acquitted of charges of rape and attempted rape following a prolonged trial in England, left-back Benjamin Mendy (29 years old, 10 caps) aims to resume his career by playing for FC Lorient.

Part of his plans also include the ambition to make a comeback to the French national team. This possibility is not excluded by the French national team’s coach, Didier Deschamps.

“In general, and I have never varied on this, violence against women, like all other forms of violence, is intolerable, unacceptable. They must obviously be fought, judged, and condemned if necessary,” said Deschamps in an interview with L’Equipe.

“Regarding Benjamin, I will stick to the facts. Complaints were filed, he was placed in pre-trial detention, the English authorities investigated, and then he was found not guilty and acquitted. The media trial had already condemned him. Judicial decisions are binding on us, and I believe that we must respect them and not comment on them.”

“Benjamin has not been able to play for two years. He wants to resume his career path at Lorient. Since the justice system found him not guilty, I don’t see why I should consider him non-selectable, even if his return is not on the agenda,” stated the French coach in his interview with L’Equipe on Thursday.