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Benjamin Mendy has been released by FC Zurich with immediate effect. The Swiss side have terminated the defender's contract just five months after his arrival. Mendy joined Zurich from Lorient in February on a deal through to the summer of 2026. However, he has now departed the club a year before his contract had been due to expire. According to Mundo Deportivo, the decision is down to Mendy's off-field behaviour. Club chiefs had been enraged by the Frenchman's alleged decision to attend a party in April. It came just hours after Zurich had suffered a 4-0 home defeat to rivals Basel. The match would prove to be Mendy's last for the club following a season-ending muscle injury. It forced the World Cup winner out of Zurich's final six matches of the campaign. In his absence, they won all five fixtures following the league's split to finish seventh in the Swiss top-flight and avoid relegation. Prior to Mendy's exit, ex-Zurich boss Ricardo Moniz gave his views on the former Manchester City man. However, his former manager did not hold back in his assessment of the 31-year-old. Moniz explained: "Mendy didn’t perform as expected of a player of his calibre. "His physical condition isn’t up to what we expect from a player in this league. " As for the alleged partying in April, he added: "After a 4-0 defeat, you can’t afford to do that to the fans. " Moniz left Zurich in May and has since been replaced by former Manchester United assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag. Prior to heading to Switzerland, Mendy spent just over 18 months in his homeland with Lorient. He returned to France from City in 2023, making 15 appearances for the club and scoring twice. Mendy had joined Lorient after being found not guilty of seven counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. Mendy won 11 trophies during six years as a City player, including four Premier League titles. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited
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