Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy was released of all charge including raping a woman and attempting to rape another. Mendy was in tears when as a jury cleared him after a retrial at Chester crown Court on Friday. He asked for privacy as he rebuilds his life from an accusation that destroyed his football career. Following the latest verdict, Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior took to Twitter to pen down a heartfelt message for Mendy.
“I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through, Benjamin Mendy. You lost two years of your career, but that’s the least of this whole situation… What about the psychological damage? Surely your life will never be the same. The culture of destroying reputations has made yet another victim.”
‘My question is what will be done to repair the damage?’ – Vinicius Junior
“Until when will we be accused and condemned without having the right to basic defense? Fake news are created and spread without checking any facts (which is something I personally felt a lot on this holidays) and then the situation only gets worse. Being responsible would be the minimum for any professional, but nowadays serious work has become an exception. There’s no limits to get more clicks and engagement. My question is what will be done to repair the damage?” Vinicius wrote.
Notably, Mendy was already cleared of his charges of raping four women and sexually assaulting another. However, the jury had difficulty reaching at verdicts for the two outstanding trials which prompted a retrial. Following Friday’s verdict, the footballer is now free of all and every charge alleged against him by six women back in 2021 when he was still playing for Manchester City.
“Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focusing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset. This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.
“It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter. Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong but the process has, inevitably, had a serious impact on him. He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life,” Mendy’s lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said after Friday’s trial.
Here’s how fans reacted to Vinicius Jr’s viral tweet:
More players should take the example of speaking up against injustices.
— Max (@maxhzc) July 16, 2023
VINI GOAT
— ???? (@LOUGA29795931) July 16, 2023
Winicius
— ???? (@Friend84315844) July 16, 2023
Only time I agree with Vini
— Schlupp Supporter ?? ?? (@JakeY_ATM) July 16, 2023
I urge people to read up about the case, you'll be shocked at what you find. pic.twitter.com/BNEBlLbVTg
— Hesh (@HeshComps) July 16, 2023
They should also push for fake accusations should come with strict punishments.
If a man is guilty of R&pe, he should be j&iled, if he’s not guilty, the accuser should be sentenced for the same j&il time a rap!st will get
That way it’ll reduce a lot
— Creasy Bear (@_creasy_bear_) July 16, 2023
"Guilty until proven guilty" twitter reading this pic.twitter.com/vc456jncy1
— ??Txrret ???? (@AbzSemtex) July 16, 2023
Gotta have some serious courage to post this. Mad respect Vini ??
— Elmer Guzman (@ElmrG94) July 16, 2023
