French side Olympique Lyon say their Ghanaian defender John Mensah had a run-in with French police on Sunday night.

The Black Stars defender was the "victim of an unfortunate incident" according to a statement released by Lyon.

Reports say the defender was pulled over by French police officers for an alleged traffic offence he did not commit before his inability to communicated properly in French complicated the issue.

He spent Sunday night in police cells as a result and was released on Monday after his club protested.

"John Mensah was the victim of an unfortunate incident with police forces on Sunday night but the affair is now closed," Lyon said in a statement.

"Police forces admitted the cause of the incident was a misunderstanding with the player who does not speak French."

Mensah joined Lyon from Stade Rennes in July and only made his debut last Sunday. He is expected to play a part in the club's opening Champions League game on Wednesday night at home to the Italians Fiorentina.