Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has filed a multi-million-pound claim against the football club at the Employment Tribunal for allegedly not paying his wages. The claim is for “unauthorised deductions from wages” after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2021, despite being found not guilty on all counts earlier this year.

Mendy, who now plays for Lorient in Ligue 1, had been owed wages until the end of his contract in June 2023. The footballer is being represented by Nick De Marco KC, and the claim has been officially filed. The claim states that Manchester City failed to pay Mendy any wages from September 2021, when he was charged with the offences, until the end of his contract in June 2023.

The former City player was their most expensive defender when he was signed from Monaco in 2017 for £52m. During his time with City, Mendy won three league titles and was part of the French squad that won the World Cup in 2018. However, Mendy last played for City in August 2021 and has since moved to play for Lorient. Despite this move, Manchester City has yet to respond to requests for comment on the claim.

It remains to be seen how this case will unfold at the Employment Tribunal. If successful, Mendy could be entitled to significant damages due to unpaid wages during a period of more than a year while under investigation for serious crimes that ultimately led to charges being dropped.

Overall, this case highlights an important issue surrounding employee rights and employer responsibilities when it comes to wage payments during times of crisis or investigation.