Controversial Banner Targets Soccer Stars Accused of Sexual Assault Before Ligue 1 Match

A spectacular event before the first home game of the Ligue 1 season for FC Lorient against OGC Nice. An as yet unknown collective deployed banners on the steps of the Grand Théâtre de Lorient, near the Moustoir stadium of the Merlus, reports Le Télégramme. "Zero tolerance for rape allegations in our stadiums... The world of sport must clean up its own house. Where is the justice? B. Mendy, A. Hakimi, W. Ben Yedder, we do not forgive, we do not forget," reads one of the banners. According to the French media, the collective deployed the banners from Friday to Saturday night.

On February 25, a 24-year-old woman went to the Nogent-sur-Marne police station to report having been raped by Achraf Hakimi at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris. A "false accusation" according to the player’s lawyer. The alleged victim did not file a complaint against the player, but the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office took over the case due to the "seriousness" of the facts and the "notoriety" of the Moroccan right-back. He was subsequently indicted.

Last month, the Chester Crown Court had acquitted French defender Benjamin Mendy of the rape charges against him, as well as an attempted rape. Just a few days after the verdict, he signed a two-year contract with FC Lorient to return to Ligue 1. His compatriot Ben Yedder has also been accused of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.