Manchester City teammates of French international Benjamin Mendy lent him money after the club stopped paying his wages following charges of rape and sexual assault, an employment tribunal has heard.
Mendy, who has subsequently been acquitted of all charges, is now claiming £11.5m in unpaid wages from the Premier League champions. The tribunal heard that current and former players, including Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez, supported Mendy financially during this period.
The club stopped paying Mendy's wages after he was charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in 2021. Mendy had been a key player for Manchester City since joining the club in 2017, helping the team win multiple domestic and international titles.
Despite the seriousness of the charges against him, Mendy's teammates rallied around him, providing financial support during a difficult time. The court heard that Mendy was struggling to meet his financial commitments without his wages, and his teammates stepped in to help.
The employment tribunal is now considering Mendy's claim for unpaid wages, which total £11.5m. The club is likely to argue that it was justified in stopping Mendy's wages given the seriousness of the charges against him.
However, Mendy's lawyers are likely to argue that the club had no right to stop paying him, as he was presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case is ongoing, and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.