Benjamin Mendy launches lawsuit against Manchester City over unpaid wages

In January, the 29-year-old was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against five women following a six-month trial, but the jury were unable to reach verdicts on one count of rape and one count of attempted rape.

Following a retrial at Chester Crown Court in July, Mendy was cleared of those charges by a new jury, and the Frenchman was allowed to resume his football career.

Mendy was initially suspended by Man City in 2021 shortly after he was charged with rape and sexual assault, and the defender was then officially released by the club and the end of June upon the expiration of his contract.

Nick De Marco KC has since confirmed to Sky Sports News that Mendy has filed a claim with the Employment Tribunal against Man City over unpaid wages.

The Frenchman, who now plies his trade with Ligue 1 club Lorient, has been seeking the return of pay he is owed up until the end of his contract with the Citizens, which ended on June 30, 2023.

"Nick De Marco KC (instructed by Laffer Abogados, Madrid) is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million-pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages," a statement read.

"Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offence 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."

Mendy joined Man City from Monaco for a reported £52m in the summer of 2017, becoming the Premier League's most expensive defender.

The left-back, who made a total of 75 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side, was believed to be earning around £100,000 a week during his six-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Mendy won six trophies with Man City, lifting three Premier League titles, two EFL Cups and one Community Shield, while he also won the 2018 World Cup with France during his time as a Citizens player.

This season, Mendy has made three substitute appearances for new club Lorient, where he is under contract until the summer of 2025.