Benjamin Mendy is taking legal action against his former club, Manchester City, over unpaid wages.
The French defender faced serious allegations, including rape charges, in 2020. Despite being found not guilty earlier this year, Man City halted Mendy’s £100,000-a-week salary in September 2021.
As reported by Sky Sports, Mendy has now initiated a ‘multi-million pound claim’ against City for the unpaid wages during his trial. The claim, submitted to the Employment Tribunal, alleges ‘unauthorized deductions from wages.’
Mendy, who became the Premier League’s most expensive defender when City acquired him from AS Monaco for £52 million in 2017, had a contract with Manchester City until June 2023. He is seeking the salary owed from September 2021 until the expiration of his contract.
Sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC is representing Mendy in this legal matter. A statement from De Marco explained, ‘Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr. Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr. Mendy being charged with various offences, all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023. The claim will come before an Employment Tribunal.’
Louis Doyle KC, representing Mendy, expressed optimism about ongoing discussions with Man City, anticipating a positive resolution to the dispute.
David Lumley, Mendy’s accountant, has previously estimated the back pay to be ‘in the order of nine to 10 million pounds gross.’