Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has successfully secured a legal victory against the club concerning unpaid wages that were withheld during his trial on serious criminal charges. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Mendy was acquitted of rape charges, and he presented a compelling argument in an employment tribunal regarding the unauthorized withholding of his wages. The tribunal case was primarily focused on Manchester City’s decision to stop paying Mendy a monthly salary of £500,000 in 2021 after his second arrest. Prior to this, Mendy had been receiving his full salary following an initial arrest in November 2020, but City informed him that his payment was being halted because he was “not presently ready and able to perform the obligations of his contract.”
The dispute over Mendy’s wages has significant financial implications, as he initially claimed approximately £11 million before tax for the 22 months during which his salary was suspended. While the tribunal largely ruled in Mendy’s favor regarding his claim, discussions are ongoing concerning the specific amount to be paid. Should the two parties fail to reach an agreement, the tribunal indicates that a further hearing will be required to finalize the amount Mendy would receive. The case highlighted the complexities involved in employment contracts, particularly in cases where legal situations such as criminal trials may lead to wage suspensions.
During the tribunal proceedings, it emerged that Mendy had received verbal assurances from the former Chief Operating Officer of Manchester City, Omar Berrada, regarding the resumption of his wages should he be acquitted. However, after his acquittal, Mendy claimed to have received no further communication from Berrada or Chief Executive Khaldoon Al Mubarak on the matter. Consequently, he faced severe financial difficulties due to the withholding of his wages; his fellow teammates, including Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, provided him with financial assistance. Mendy also reported that he had to sell his mansion in Cheshire to afford legal fees and cover various expenses.
The club’s legal representatives argued that the responsibility for his situation rested largely on Mendy himself due to his alleged irresponsible behavior during the relevant period. Mendy faced criticism for reportedly hosting parties at his home during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which violated his bail conditions. City’s legal counsel, Sean Jones KC, suggested that Mendy’s actions should be factored into the tribunal’s considerations, emphasizing that Mendy’s argument could create a “moral hazard,” suggesting he believed he could act irresponsibly without facing repercussions.
Following his acquittal, Mendy expressed his relief in court, reportedly saying “Alhamdulillah,” an Arabic phrase meaning “Praise be to God.” The challenge he faced throughout the legal proceedings had a profound emotional and psychological impact on him, as noted by Jenny Wiltshire, Head of Serious & General Crime at Hickman & Rose. Wiltshire remarked on the duration of the investigation and emphasized that Mendy has struggled to maintain his strength throughout what has been a lengthy and tumultuous process. This long ordeal included two trials in which he was found not guilty by jury verdicts.
In the wake of the resolution of his legal troubles, Mendy has returned to his home country and is now working to revive his football career with Lorient, a club that competes in Ligue 2 in France. His story underscores the complexities of professional sports contracts when they intersect with personal conduct and legal issues, bringing to light how off-field behavior can significantly affect a player’s career and financial stability.
