"Get lost, rap***" - Benjamin Mendy subjected to vile chanting by Lorient fans after they are relegated to Ligue 2
Benjamin Mendy was subject to 'rap***' chants from FC Lorient fans after the French club dropped down to the second division on Sunday, May 20. Les Merlus lost their Ligue 1 status despite a 5-0 win against Clermont Foot on the final matchday of the season.
Lorient went into their final game of the season sitting second from bottom in the table. Finishing 16th would have given them the opportunity to avoid relegation through play-offs, but that position was occupied by FC Metz, who had three points more.
However, things went down to the wire as Lorient beat Clermont 5-0 and Metz lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain. The two teams, therefore, finished the season with the same number of points (29) and goal difference (-23).
Head-to-head results could also not separate Lorient and Metz as they had one win over each other. The latter eventually edged the former in head-to-head goals scored away from home (three to two). Lorient, thus, return to Ligue 2 after four seasons in the French top-flight.
Benjamin Mendy was among the Lorient players who received flak from the fans as they exited the club's home stadium, Moustoir, on Sunday. The Frenchman was the subject of vile chants as the supporters chanted (via Get French Football News): "Get lost, rap***".
In August 2021, Mendy was remanded after being charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. It resulted in his then-employers Manchester City suspending him. Meanwhile, the left-back was charged with four more cases of rape in the following months.
The player was acquitted of all charges by June 2023. Having left Manchester City at the end of his contract that summer, he joined Lorient on a two-year deal. He made 15 Ligue 1 appearances for the club in the recently concluded season, netting twice and providing one assist.
What next for Benjamin Mendy and Lorient?
While fans appear to be discontent with Benjamin Mendy's contributions to Lorient, he still has another year remaining on his contract. It remains to be seen if the club's relegation will affect his future at Moustoir. The last time Les Merlus suffered relegation, it took them three seasons to return to the first division.
Benjamin Mendy, meanwhile, hopes to find a solution after suing Manchester City for unpaid wages last November. He alleged that the club stopped paying him in September 2021 after he was initially arrested. He believes the Cityzens owe him millions in unpaid wages.
The full-back was on City's books for six years after joining them from AS Monaco in 2017. He played 75 games across competitions for the club, scoring twice and providing 12 assists. He won 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles, with them.