Former Manchester City Star wins $14M wage case against his club

Former Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy achieved an important victory in his case against the Premier League club, securing a judgment for over £11 million ($14.2 million) in unpaid wages. Mendy initiated a claim last year regarding wages that were withheld after the club suspended payments in September 2021 following the charges against him related to sexual offences. 

What were the charges against Mendy and City?

In January 2023, Mendy was acquitted of six charges of rape and one charge of sexual assault following a trial at Chester Crown Court. Additionally, he was found not guilty of one charge of rape and one charge of attempted rape after a subsequent retrial.

Mendy firmly asserted that City unlawfully deducted wages owed to him under his contract. In his witness statement, he confidently stated that he was promised to receive payment. 

City's legal team clarified that Mendy's lack of payment was due to his inability to fulfil his responsibilities while in custody before his trial for breaching bail conditions. 

While Manchester City has yet to comment on this matter, Dunlop noted in her ruling that Mendy experienced two separate custody periods, amounting to approximately five months out of the 22 months covered in his claim, during which the club was justified in withholding his salary.

During the time that Mendy was not in custody, Dunlop observed that he intended to work. Unfortunately, his ability to do so was hindered by his suspension imposed by the Football Association, along with bail conditions that were beyond his control. 

"Having had to wait for 3 years for my wages, I am delighted with the decision and sincerely hope that the Club will now do the honourable thing and pay the outstanding amounts, as well as the other amounts promised to me under the contract, without further delay, so I can finally put this difficult part of my life behind me," Mendy said

Mendy originally joined Manchester City from AS Monaco in 2017, with a transfer fee of approximately £52 million and an annual salary of £6 million. Following his retrial, he signed with French club Lorient, which is currently competing in Ligue 2.