Benjamin Mendy achieved a new victory in court. The 30-year-old French defender managed to convince a judge to impose his previous club, the Manchester Cityordered to fork out £8.5 million in unpaid wages after being acquitted of rape charges last year.
Mendy faced several sex crime charges at his Manchester villa but was acquitted of the charges at a retrial in July 2023. The Frenchman, who joined City for £49m from Monaco in 2017, withheld his wages of £500,000 a week after being accused of sexual offences. detained in custody. When he was acquitted he took the Premier League club to an employment tribunal.
The player asked for 11 million pounds (around 14 million euros) and the judge ruled that he is entitled to around 8.5 million (around 10.2 million). This salary corresponds to the period from when he was suspended in September 2021 upon entering prison until he left the club in June 2023.
Trial of Benjamin Mendy at Chester Crown Court /EFE/Paul Currie
A UK employment tribunal judge ruled that City were entitled not to pay Benjamin Mendy while he was in police custody for around five months, but that the suspension by the English FA), which did not allow him to play or train , it was not an excuse for not having paid the player.
Maintained by his peers
After leaving Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Mendy signed for Manchester City Lorient of the French championship, a team for which he still plays in Ligue 2. The one who was world champion in 2018 with the French team played 15 matches last season, but has not yet participated in this one.
Mendy was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, but the same jury was unable to reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape. He was acquitted of the latter two charges at a retrial in July 2023.
Mendy revealed in court that his then City teammates, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrezthey helped him financially by withholding his salary, and he was forced to sell his Cheshire mansion to pay legal fees, bills and child support.
Interview Transcript: Time.news Editor with Sports Law Expert Dr. Helen Taylor
Editor: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest with us, Dr. Helen Taylor, a renowned expert in sports law. We’ll be discussing the recent court ruling involving former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who has won a significant employment tribunal following his acquittal on serious charges. Welcome, Dr. Taylor!
Dr. Taylor: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The ruling states that Mendy is entitled to around £8.5 million in unpaid wages from Manchester City after being acquitted of sexual offences. Can you explain the legal implications of this case?
Dr. Taylor: Certainly. This case highlights several crucial aspects of employment law in sports. Firstly, when a player is accused of a crime and subsequently detained, there can be complex implications for their employment contract. In Mendy’s case, despite the serious nature of the allegations, the law protects workers’ rights during such situations, especially if they are acquitted.
Editor: That’s a fascinating point. Given that Mendy was suspended and later acquitted, does this create a precedent for other players facing similar situations?
Dr. Taylor: Yes, it could indeed set a significant precedent. The tribunal’s decision reinforces the notion that contracts maintain their validity unless breached due to lawful reasons. In Mendy’s case, the club suspended his wages despite him not being convicted. This tribunal outcome may compel clubs to reconsider how they handle contracts during legal investigations involving their players.
Editor: Interesting! Now, Mendy was reportedly seeking £11 million but received £8.5 million. Why do you think the tribunal settled on that figure?
Dr. Taylor: The sum awarded likely reflects a careful consideration of Mendy’s actual earnings during the period he was withheld — from his suspension in September 2021 to his departure in June 2023. The tribunal would have accounted for his contract terms, industry standards, and potentially the immediate context of his situation.
Editor: Moving forward, what can players and clubs learn from this case?
Dr. Taylor: Both parties can take away valuable lessons regarding clarity in contracts and the importance of maintaining communication. For players, it reinforces the idea of knowing their rights and using legal provisions to protect themselves during disputes. Clubs, on the other hand, must ensure that they have legal frameworks in place to handle accusations without violating employee rights.
Editor: That makes sense. Lastly, with Mendy having been in the spotlight for such serious allegations, do you think this will impact his career moving forward?
Dr. Taylor: It’s hard to predict. While he has won in the courtroom, public perception can be quite different. Some clubs may hesitate to sign him due to the surrounding controversy. However, his legal victory may also play a role in allowing him to rebuild his career, especially if teams consider his on-pitch abilities outweighing the past issues.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Taylor, for these insights. The complexities surrounding sports law, especially in cases like this, are both fascinating and vital for understanding athlete rights. We appreciate your time!
Dr. Taylor: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure discussing this important issue with you.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay safe, and we’ll see you next time on Time.news!