Benjamin Mendy has taken legal action against Manchester City, filing a “multi-million pound” claim related to unpaid wages during his trial for sex offenses.
The French defender, currently with Lorient, was acquitted earlier this year after facing charges of rape and sexual assault in 2021. Mendy left Manchester City when his contract ended in June.
The complaint, submitted to an employment tribunal, alleges “unauthorized deductions from wages” during the period from September 2021, when charges were brought against him, until the expiration of his contract in June 2023.
READ: Manchester City parts ways with Benjamin Mendy as retrial looms
Represented by Nick De Marco KC, Mendy’s statement states that Manchester City failed to pay any wages during this time, despite his subsequent acquittal. The case will be heard at an Employment Tribunal.
Mendy’s legal action raises questions about the club’s handling of the situation and its obligation to pay wages during a legal process.
The defender’s acquittal in both trials emphasizes his innocence in the eyes of the law. Manchester City’s response to the claim will likely shape the narrative around how football clubs manage contractual relationships during legal challenges involving their players.
This case highlights the complexities of employment in professional sports, especially when players face legal issues unrelated to their professional activities.
Mendy seeks financial redress for the period when he was sidelined from the game, a reminder of the broader legal responsibilities and ethical considerations within the footballing industry.