French footballer Benjamin Mendy has won a significant legal battle against Manchester City, claiming approximately £11 million in unpaid wages after he was suspended by the club in September 2021.
Mendy, who faced rape and sexual assault charges in August 2021, took his case to an employment tribunal, arguing that he was unfairly denied pay during the suspension period. Mendy was acquitted of multiple charges last year, and he left Manchester City in June 2023.
In a recent ruling, Judge Joanne Dunlop determined that Manchester City was within its rights to withhold Mendy’s salary only for the five months he was in custody. This accounts for a fraction of the total 22-month period he was left unpaid.
The tribunal’s decision means that City may now be required to pay Mendy for the remaining months he was not in custody but was still suspended.
Following the ruling, Mendy expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.
This tribunal decision closes a challenging chapter in Mendy’s career, as he seeks to move forward after being acquitted of all charges and clearing his name. Manchester City has not yet commented on the tribunal’s ruling or its intentions regarding the payment of Mendy’s outstanding wages.