Former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy has won his case against the club to recover over £11million unpaid wages that were held back during his trial on rape charges.
Mendy, a French international, took legal action against Manchester City after the club stopped paying his salary in September 2021, following charges of sexual offences.
The tribunal ruled on Wednesday that Mendy is entitled to some of the withheld wages, though the final amount is still being negotiated. Judge Joanne Dunlop, who led the ruling, stated, “Mr Mendy is entitled to recover some, but not all, of the sums claimed.”
Mendy, 30, had argued that Manchester City’s decision to stop his pay was against his contract. He said in a witness statement that he was promised his salary would resume if he was found not guilty. In January 2023, Mendy was acquitted of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He was later also cleared of additional charges after a retrial.
Mendy’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, highlighted the strain this case placed on him, saying, “This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts. It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter. Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong, but the process has, inevitably, had a serious impact on him.”
The court revealed that Mendy initially sought about £11 million in unpaid wages. Manchester City argued that he was not paid because he could not perform his duties, as he was held in custody for breaching bail conditions.
City’s lawyer, Sean Jones, argued that Mendy’s actions, including reports of hosting parties during lockdown, should have consequences, saying, “The essence of the submission by Mr Mendy is that his contract creates a moral hazard. He says, ‘I can behave as irresponsibly as I like… there should be no consequences to my behaviour.’”
The club’s former Chief Operating Officer, Omar Berrada, had allegedly assured Mendy that his wages would resume if he was acquitted. However, Mendy said he received no response when he sought clarification from Berrada or City’s Chief Executive, Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
During the legal process, Mendy revealed that his former teammates, including Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez, helped him financially, while he had to sell his Cheshire home to cover expenses.
Since his acquittal, Mendy has returned to France, now playing for Lorient in Ligue 2, and hopes to rebuild his career.
