Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has secured a tribunal ruling entitling him to the majority of his unpaid wages from his former club. This follows a lengthy legal process that began after Mendy was charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in August 2021. Although Mendy was suspended without pay from September 2021 until he left City in June 2023, he took the club to an employment tribunal, seeking approximately £11 million in unpaid salary. Mendy argued that, despite the charges and his suspension, he was owed wages for the periods when he was not in custody but unable to play due to restrictions from the Football Association (FA).
Judge Joanne Dunlop, who presided over the tribunal, ruled in Mendy’s favor for most of his claim, finding that Manchester City was not entitled to withhold wages for the entirety of the suspension period. While she agreed that City was within its rights to withhold his salary during the roughly five months Mendy spent in custody, she concluded that the club had no grounds to deny him payment for the remaining time he was unable to fulfill his contract due to external restrictions, including the FA suspension and bail conditions.
Mendy Wins Tribunal Case for Unpaid Wages Against Manchester City
The ruling has been viewed as a significant one, highlighting contractual nuances and the obligations clubs have toward players who are prevented from performing due to reasons beyond their control. Mendy’s basic wage with Manchester City was approximately £6 million per year, a substantial figure that led to a sizable claim when multiplied over his suspension period. The tribunal’s decision underscores that City’s contract with Mendy lacked specific provisions that would have permitted the club to withhold wages under circumstances such as an FA suspension or legal constraints.
In her ruling, Judge Dunlop stated, “The fact that Mr. Mendy’s contract contained no provision permitting the club to withhold wages where an FA suspension and/or bail conditions prevented the player from performing his obligations was an important part of the reason for this decision.” She clarified that, in her view, Mendy had been “ready and willing” to fulfill his contractual duties during periods he was not in custody, but external conditions — which were beyond his control — had prevented him from doing so.
As a result of this decision, Mendy is expected to receive the majority of the wages he was owed over the course of the suspension. However, the precise amount is yet to be finalized. The court has left room for both parties to negotiate the final sum, with the option for a future hearing if they are unable to come to an agreement. This may involve further calculations and discussions between Mendy’s representatives and Manchester City to determine the exact figures involved.
Benjamin Mendy joined Manchester City in 2017 after a high-profile £52 million transfer from AS Monaco. During his time at City, he contributed to the team’s Premier League successes, winning titles in 2018, 2019, and 2021. However, his career was disrupted following the charges brought against him in 2021, which led to his suspension and eventually to his departure from the club. Mendy’s last appearance for Manchester City came on August 15, 2021, shortly before his legal troubles began.
In the midst of these challenges, Mendy faced months of court proceedings before being cleared of the charges in 2022. His case brought attention to issues surrounding the treatment and contractual rights of players under suspension or legal investigation. The employment tribunal’s ruling in his favor has underscored the legal complexities involved in cases where players face restrictions due to external factors, yet remain technically available for selection.
The case is a reminder for football clubs to carefully consider the provisions within player contracts, especially concerning suspensions or external impediments. Experts have suggested that clubs may look to refine contractual terms to clarify their obligations in scenarios where players are unable to fulfill duties due to legal or association-imposed restrictions.
This ruling could have broader implications for employment contracts in sports, as other players facing similar circumstances may now reference Mendy’s case. For Manchester City, the judgment not only emphasizes contractual gaps but also reinforces the need to approach player suspensions carefully to avoid potential legal claims.
As Mendy awaits the final determination of his compensation, his case serves as a notable precedent, highlighting both the rights of athletes under suspension and the responsibilities of clubs to honor contractual commitments. The decision marks a significant victory for Mendy, ensuring he will receive the majority of his unpaid salary, and providing a sense of closure to his time at Manchester City after a turbulent two-year period.
