Footballers are rushing to support Benjamin Mendy – it’s rare to see them so vocal

On Friday afternoon, former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy wept as he heard the words “not guilty” echo around Chester Crown Court.

It marked the end of an almost three-year long process during which time Mendy faced multiple charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. In January this year, he was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault at the end of a five-month trial.

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As the jury could not reach verdicts on two claims relating to two women, a retrial was ordered, meaning six months on from his first trial, Mendy was back in court at the end of June.

Friday’s verdicts mean Mendy, 29, has now been found not guilty of all claims against him. Upon leaving court he said only “alhamdulillah” — ‘thanks God’.

Within hours, others chose to fill the silence.

Benjamin Mendy

All cases dismissed.So what are we doing now?Who is going to help this brother heal?Who’s going to be Responsable for the damage on he’s name?How he’s going to have he’s career back?Many years of investment to become a professional football player…. Now… pic.twitter.com/84kxF77RgY

— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) July 14, 2023

On Friday Atletico Madrid striker Memphis Depay posted a tweet to his 2.6 million followers in support of Mendy, asking who is going to support him now that he has been cleared?

“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?”

The tweet is pinned to the top of his profile page and at time of writing has been viewed more than 34 million times.

A quick scroll through Depay’s Instagram post (a replica of the one on Twitter), shows “likes” from a host of top level male footballers, past and present. In the comments, there