French sports minister Amlie Ouda-Castra supports Lorient's swoop for Benjamin Mendy.
Just days after he was cleared of sexual assault charges in an English court, the former Manchester City defender signed for Ligue 1 Lorient.
Ouda-Castra has reacted, telling France Info: "I think there are two things that are important. The first is that he has been acquitted.
"Today he is in sports rehabilitation. After almost two years of interruption of his career, he is also resuming the course of his life. Here justice has been expressed and we must respect it.
"At the same time, we must continue to push for freedom of the word and for the respect of the victims.
"For me it is important to have this balance and it is necessary to underline it."