Amid the possibility of bankruptcy, Benjamin Mendy has listed his house for sale and is seeking £10 million ($12.7 million) in unpaid wages from Manchester City.
Following a retrial, the 29-year-old was acquitted of one count of rape and one count of attempted rape in July.
Subsequently, he joined Ligue 1 side Lorient in preparation for the 2023–24 season.
Reports from The Mirror indicate that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has initiated bankruptcy proceedings against the French player due to an outstanding tax bill of £800,000 ($1 million).
After his arrest in September 2021, Mendy was suspended by Manchester City, leading to his pay being withheld since then.
During a High Court hearing, Jacquille Jarrett, representing HMRC, mentioned that the debt proceedings had been postponed awaiting the verdict of the criminal trial.
It was anticipated that a resolution payment, sourced from the sale of his property or back pay from his former employer, would be arranged. However, these anticipated funds have yet to be received.
“There has been no contact from the debtor,” Ms Jarrett said, adding: “The agreement advises that an update would be given to HMRC, but no contact was made. We look to secure a bankruptcy order today.”
Mendy’s accountants provided details of his hopes to recuperate funds lost due to the charges brought against him. He is said to be in negotiations with former club Manchester City over £9m–£10m in back pay following the not-guilty verdict, and he has put his £5m ($6.4m) house near Macclesfield on the market.
Mendy left the current Premier League champions upon the expiration of his contract back in June and was later cleared of the sexual offence charges following a retrial. In his first trial, lasting six months and ending in January 2023, he was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
“He himself has moved back to France, where he comes from,” the accountant said. “I would like to ask for a short extension because I am told very firmly by his agent that the pay issue will be resolved from Manchester City. He was very short of money indeed, the cost of the legal case were over £1m.”
The hearing was adjourned until October 4 to give Mendy time to sell the property in Cheshire.