Benjamin Mendy to sue Manchester city for unpaid wages following acquittal on charges

Manchester, UK: Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is set to take legal action against the Premier League champions, claiming he is owed millions of pounds in unpaid wages.

The French left-back, who was cleared of rape and sexual assault charges earlier this year, alleges “unauthorised deductions from wages” during the period he faced legal proceedings.

Mendy’s legal representative, Nick De Marco KC, issued a statement revealing the impending multi-million-pound claim against Manchester City.

According to the statement, Mendy ceased receiving wages from the club in September 2021, when he was initially charged and held in custody. The alleged non-payment persisted until the expiration of Mendy’s contract in June 2023.

“Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021 until the end of his contract in June 2023, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences, all of which he was subsequently acquitted of,” the statement explained.

The legal claim is expected to be presented at an employment tribunal, with Mendy seeking the return of unpaid wages up until the conclusion of his contract with Manchester City.

Mendy, who reportedly earned around £100,000 ($125,000) per week during his time with the Premier League champions, left the club when his contract expired and joined French club Lorient at the beginning of the current season.

The legal dispute arises from the period when Mendy faced serious criminal charges related to six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

While he was cleared of these charges in January, two counts led to a retrial. The retrial concluded in July, with Mendy found not guilty on those remaining charges by a jury.

This legal action adds another layer of complexity to Mendy’s tumultuous journey, which saw the player sidelined from professional football during the legal proceedings.

The three-time Premier League champion with Manchester City last played for the club in 2021 under the management of Pep Guardiola.

Mendy’s case highlights the intersection of legal and employment issues in professional sports and raises questions about the responsibilities of clubs towards players facing legal challenges.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the football community will be watching closely to see how this case may influence the handling of similar situations in the future.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members