Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy have complained about media outlets incorrectly using their images to accompany news reports on Benjamin Mendy, who has been accused of rape and sexual assault.
Manchester City defender Mendy, 27, has been charged with six counts of rape and one of sexual assault, and remains in custody.
Edouard Mendy said the use of his and Ferland Mendy’s images was “highly symbolic”.
Edouard Mendy plays for Chelsea and the Senegal national team, while Ferland Mendy plays for Real Madrid and France. The two men are cousins and both shared screenshots of media reports who had incorrectly used their photographs on Wednesday.
Edouard Mendy wrote on Instagram: “Sad to see that in 2021, in France as well as in England, for some, Black people have neither names nor distinct faces.”
“These ‘mistakes’ of photos appear anecdotal, but actually they are quite the opposite, they are highly symbolic.
“It's not that complicated to differentiate two faces, especially when the football jersey is of valuable help!”
Ferland Mendy later added: “Thank you, Edouard Mendy!”
“We’re in 2021. Stop! It will take time but in the end you’ll respect us. Whether you like it or not.”
In August, Benjamin Mendy was charged with four counts of rape and one of sexual assault. On Tuesday he was charged with charged with two additional counts of rape.
Those previous charges related to alleged attacks on three women over the age of 16 at Mendy’s home between October 2020 and August 2021.
He has been in custody since August after a number of bail applications were refused by judges.
(Photos: Getty Images)
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