Manchester City is reportedly facing a multi-million-pound lawsuit from Benjamin Mendy over alleged unpaid wages.
The 29-year-old defender has initiated legal action by filing a claim with the Employment Tribunal, citing “unauthorised deductions from wages.”
Mendy was acquitted of single counts of rape and attempted rape in July of this year, following an earlier jury decision in January that cleared him of six alleged rapes and one attempted sexual assault.
The accusations had led to a suspension of Mendy’s football career for over two years, stemming from incidents during lockdown-busting parties at his Cheshire mansion.
Having returned to professional football with French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient just five days after his acquittal, making his debut in September, Mendy is now seeking reimbursement for unpaid wages until the conclusion of his contract, which expired in June, according to reports from Sky Sports News.
A statement from lawyer Nick De Marco KC, acting on behalf of Mendy, said: “Nick De Marco KC (instructed by Laffer Abogados (Madrid) is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million-pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages.
“Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences, all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023.
Benjamin Mendy’s most recent Premier League match occurred in August 2021, where Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham.
In a statement released through his solicitor after being acquitted, Mendy expressed his commitment to “rebuilding his life.”
Jenny Wiltshire, the head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, acknowledged the jury’s focus on the trial’s evidence rather than the rumours and innuendo that had surrounded the case from the beginning.
“This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury.
“He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.
“It has been almost three years since the police started investigating this matter.
“Mr Mendy has tried to remain strong but the process has, inevitably, had a serious impact on him.
“He thanks everyone who has supported him throughout this ordeal and now asks for privacy so he can begin rebuilding his life.”