Benjamin Mendy lawyer's statement in full as defender sues Manchester City

20 November 2023 , 20:10

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Former Man City defender Benjamin Mendy (Image: Getty Images)

Benjamin Mendy's lawyer has confirmed the defender is suing Manchester City for "unauthorised deductions from wages".

Mendy, 29, was suspended by City after he was charged by police in August 2021. He was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at the conclusion of an initial trial in January, with the jury failing to find a verdict on two other charges.

Mendy was then found not guilty of one count of rape and one count of attempted rape at a retrial in July. The France international, who last represented his country in 2019, didn't play any first-team football between August 2021 and September 2023.

The defender's last appearance for City came against Tottenham in August 2021, just 13 days before his criminal charges were made public. City stopped paying his £100,000-a-week wages in September 2021, with Mendy now looking to get that money.

Mendy's legal team are seeking a reimbursement of his salary from September 2021 to June 2023, when his contract expired and he was released by City. It is understood the player has launched a claim for between £9million and £10m in unpaid wages from City.

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Sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC is acting for Mendy and released a statement which read: "Nick De Marco KC is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million-pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages.

"Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences, all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023. The claim will come before an employment tribunal."

City signed Mendy from French side Monaco in a £52m deal in July 2017, making him the most expensive defender in the history of football. He arrived at the Etihad with an impressive CV, helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title against the odds the previous season.

Mendy has barely played for Lorient since his transfer (AFP via Getty Images)

Mendy won three Premier League titles during his time at City, among other honours, but struggled with injuries. He played just 50 Premier League games before his suspension.

Mendy is trying to rebuild his career in France at Ligue 1 side Lorient. He signed a two-year contract with the club just days after his acquittal in July and made his debut in September. He's featured three times off the bench this season.

Mendy has played 10 times at senior level for France. He was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2018 and made one appearance during the tournament in Russia.

City were contacted by Mirror Football for comment over Mendy's legal action but did not provide one.

David McDonnell