Benjamin Mendy, the former Manchester City defender, has found himself at the center of a high-stakes legal battle, claiming £11.5 million in unpaid wages from the Premier League giants. Mendy’s wages were withheld after he was charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in 2021, despite later being acquitted of all charges in 2023. As the legal proceedings unfold, Mendy’s financial hardships and the assistance of former teammates, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez, have come to light, raising critical questions about his treatment by the club.
The Background: Mendy’s Legal Troubles and Financial Fallout
Mendy’s ordeal began in 2021 when he was accused of serious sexual offenses, leading to his suspension from Manchester City. The charges kept him away from training grounds and the stadium due to bail conditions, effectively barring him from performing his contractual duties with the club. While City initially continued to pay Mendy following his first arrest in November 2020, the situation changed dramatically after he was formally charged in August 2021. The club then decided to withhold his wages, citing that Mendy could no longer fulfill his obligations under the contract due to the Football Association’s suspension and his bail restrictions.
Facing the mounting costs of legal fees, child support payments, and general living expenses, Mendy’s financial situation quickly spiraled downward. The 30-year-old French international was forced to sell his Cheshire mansion to stay afloat. In a witness statement submitted to the employment tribunal, Mendy disclosed that his former Manchester City teammates stepped in to help. Sterling, Silva, and Mahrez lent him money to cover his legal expenses and support his family during what became an extended period of financial hardship.
“I was running out of money very quickly,” Mendy admitted in his statement. “Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez all lent me money to help me try and pay my legal fees and support my family.”
️| Benjamin Mendy: “I struggled to pay my child support (when Manchester City stopped paying him after being charged in 2021), I felt awful…”
“Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez all lent money to help me try and pay my legal fees and support my family.” pic.twitter.com/b2aWgqPwal
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 14, 2024
Seeking Justice: The Claim for Unpaid Wages
Despite being cleared of all charges in 2023, Mendy is now engaged in a legal battle with Manchester City to recover what he claims are unpaid wages totaling £11.5 million. He asserts that the club, having suspended his salary, left him financially stranded during his legal battle. Furthermore, Mendy’s agent, Meissa N’Diaye, testified that Manchester City had allegedly promised to pay Mendy all the wages that were withheld once his trial had concluded. However, when the trial ended and Mendy was cleared, the money did not materialize.
In November 2022, Mendy reached out to City’s then-Chief Football Operations Officer, Omar Berrada, via WhatsApp, inquiring about the outstanding salaries. However, Berrada did not respond, leaving Mendy in a state of financial uncertainty. In the tribunal, Berrada, who has since moved on to Manchester United as their chief executive, denied ever making assurances that Mendy would receive back pay once the legal proceedings were over.
Mendy, on the other hand, remains adamant that his wages should have been reinstated, especially after being found innocent of the charges brought against him. In his witness statement, he expressed his frustration, stating, “I believe that it is fair and just for me to be paid the wages that I would have earned but for being falsely arrested for crimes that I did not commit.”
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The Controversy Surrounding Mendy’s Behavior During Suspension
In addition to the claims for unpaid wages, the tribunal also delved into Mendy’s personal conduct during his suspension. On 15 occasions, Mendy either hosted or attended parties, breaching both COVID-19 protocols and his bail conditions. These actions were scrutinized during the hearing, with City’s counsel, Sean Jones, questioning whether Mendy’s behavior demonstrated disregard for the risks associated with his legal situation.
“The truth is you couldn’t care less it exposed you to risk,” Jones said to Mendy during the hearing. Mendy responded candidly, acknowledging his mistake, “At the time, yes.”
The revelations about Mendy’s off-field activities have added another layer of complexity to the case, with the club’s legal team arguing that Mendy’s behavior during the suspension period may have contributed to the club’s decision to withhold his wages. However, Mendy also claimed that he was being unfairly singled out, as other Manchester City first-team players, including the club captain, had also attended some of the same parties without facing similar consequences.
The Impact of Mendy’s Suspension on His Career and Future Prospects
Benjamin Mendy’s career trajectory has been deeply affected by the legal battles and suspension. Once a promising left-back who joined Manchester City from Monaco in a £52 million deal in 2017, Mendy’s fortunes have plummeted since his arrest. Before the legal challenges, Mendy had contributed to Manchester City’s success, helping the club secure three Premier League titles during his tenure.
Mendy’s last appearance for City came in a Premier League match against Tottenham on August 15, 2021. When his contract expired in June 2023, the club did not renew it, effectively ending his career in Manchester. Mendy has since moved to French side Lorient, attempting to revive his career after the ordeal.
However, the financial and emotional toll of his legal battles continues to hang over him. Mendy’s tribunal case represents not only an attempt to recover his lost wages but also a chance to clear his name and restore his reputation in the football world.
The Tribunal’s Implications for Mendy and Manchester City
The tribunal’s decision on Mendy’s £11.5 million wage claim will have significant implications for both the player and Manchester City. For Mendy, a favorable outcome would provide financial relief and potentially pave the way for further legal action or settlements. For City, the case could set a precedent for how clubs handle similar situations involving suspended players in the future.
Mendy’s case continues to raise questions about how players are treated during legal proceedings, particularly when they are ultimately acquitted. As the tribunal hearing unfolds, all eyes will be on the outcome, which may determine whether Mendy’s fight for justice—and his career—can be restored.
