Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has won a legal case against the club, securing a substantial portion of his previously withheld salary during his rape trial.
According to a Wednesday report by the *Daily Mail*, Mendy successfully argued that Manchester City made "unauthorised deductions" from his pay, leading the employment tribunal to rule in his favour.
The dispute began when City stopped paying Mendy’s £500,000-per-month salary in 2021 following his second arrest. Although he was initially placed on full pay after his first arrest in November 2020, the club informed him after the re-arrest that he would not receive wages, claiming he was “not presently ready and able to perform the obligations of his contract.”
During the tribunal, Mendy initially sought around £11 million before tax, covering a 22-month period. The court ruled in favour of most of his claim, though the exact compensation remains under negotiation. If an agreement isn’t reached, a follow-up hearing will determine the final figure.
The tribunal also heard testimony that former Manchester City Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada had allegedly assured Mendy that his salary would resume if he was acquitted. Mendy claimed he sought clarification from Berrada and Chief Executive Khaldoon Al Mubarak but received no response.
During the wage freeze, Mendy revealed that teammates Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez supported him financially, and he was forced to sell his Cheshire mansion to cover legal fees, bills, and child support. Manchester City argued that Mendy’s “irresponsible behaviour” contributed to his situation, citing reports that he held lockdown parties at his mansion and breached bail conditions. The club’s representative, Sean Jones KC, argued that Mendy's contract did not shield him from the consequences of his actions.
Following his acquittal, Mendy reportedly expressed his relief in court, saying "Alhamdulillah," Arabic for "Praise be to God." The case, described as having a significant impact on Mendy, was highlighted by Jenny Wiltshire, Head of Serious & General Crime at Hickman & Rose, who stated that Mendy endured a three-year ordeal before the charges were resolved.
Since his acquittal, Mendy has returned to France, now playing for Lorient in Ligue 2, aiming to rebuild his career after the lengthy legal battle.
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