Manchester City ruled to pay off hefty unpaid wages to Benjamin Mendy

Manchester City has been ordered by a UK tribunal to pay the majority of unpaid wages to former player Benjamin Mendy, following his acquittal on multiple charges in January 2023, closing a significant chapter in Mendy's legal battle.

In Short

• Mendy won his wage dispute case against Manchester City
• Tribunal ordered City to pay £11 million in owed wages
• Mendy expressed gratitude to family and lawyers for their support

Manchester City has been ordered to pay a significant portion of unpaid wages to former defender Benjamin Mendy, following a ruling by a UK employment tribunal on November 6. Mendy, who was accused of sexual assault and rape in 2021 and subsequently acquitted of all charges in January 2023, had filed a wage dispute case against the club, arguing that Manchester City had unlawfully withheld wages during his legal proceedings. The tribunal’s judgment now mandates that the Premier League champions pay Mendy £11 million in owed wages.

Mendy, 30, was acquitted in two stages: first, in January 2023, he was cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by Chester Crown Court, and then later acquitted of one additional count of rape and attempted rape after a retrial. In his claim, Mendy stated that he was due payment under his contract, which the club allegedly withheld during his detention and trial. He further argued that City had assured him of payment should he be acquitted of all charges.

Following the ruling, Mendy expressed gratitude to his family and legal team, acknowledging their support through the challenging period. He shared a public statement on social media, expressing relief at the tribunal’s decision.

"Having had to wait for three 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 in his statement.

Manchester City’s legal team contended that the club was not obligated to pay Mendy’s full wages, citing his time in custody as a breach of bail conditions. They argued that this period exempted them from paying a portion of his contracted salary. However, the tribunal ruled that the club must settle the majority of Mendy's unpaid wages, even for the time he spent in custody, though it allowed some deductions.

Since his acquittal, Mendy has resumed his football career, joining Ligue 2 side FC Lorient, marking a new chapter after his challenging legal battles. The tribunal’s ruling not only reinforces Mendy’s contractual claims but also represents a significant step toward financial and personal recovery for the player. Manchester City is expected to comply with the tribunal’s decision, as the ruling clarifies the club's financial obligations towards its former player.