Benjamin Mendy 'chasing £10m from Man City and selling £5m home' to avoid bankruptcy

HM Revenue and Customs is seeking a bankruptcy order against Benjamin Mendy, who has joined French side Loirent since being released by Manchester City

Mark Whiley Sports Reporter

22:29, 09 Aug 2023

French footballer Benjamin Mendy leaves Chester Crown Court in Chester, north-west England, on July 14, 2023, having been cleared of one count of rape and another of attempted rape. A UK court jury on Friday acquitted former Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy of one count of rape and another of attempted rape. Mendy, 28,

Benjamin Mendy after being cleared of one count of rape and another of attempted rape in July(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Benjamin Mendy is chasing millions from former club Manchester City and is selling his home as he looks to avoid bankruptcy.

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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is seeking a bankruptcy order against the now Lorient defender over a tax debt of almost £800,000, a judge was told at the High Court in London. This week’s hearing comes less than a month after the 29-year-old was cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court.

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His accountant told the court that Mendy’s agent is “in negotiations with Man City to get the back pay on the basis that he has been found not guilty”. It is claimed he is owed “nine to 10 million pounds gross”. City released Mendy at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract.

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The accountant, who declined to give reporters his full name, said City had not paid the footballer, who was not present at the hearing, since September 2021.

"He himself has moved back to France where he comes from," the accountant said. "I would like to ask for a short extension because I am told very firmly by his agent that the pay issue will be resolved from Manchester City.

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“He was very short of money indeed, the cost of the legal case was over one million pounds."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City celebrates with the trophy during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Manchester, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benjamin Mendy won three Premier League titles with Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)

Representing HMRC, Jacquille Jarrett said proceedings at the Insolvency and Companies Court had previously been postponed pending the outcome of the criminal trial and for a settlement of Mendy’s debt from backdated salary or the sale of his UK property.

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“There has been no contact from the debtor,” Ms Jarrett said. “The agreement advises that an update would be given to HMRC but no contact was made. We look to secure a bankruptcy order today [Wednesday].”

Benjamin Mendy's trial is expected to last between two and three weeks

Benjamin Mendy is seeking backdated wages from Manchester City and is looking to sell his English home having joined French side Loriant(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

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Judge Clive Jones told the hearing that Mendy’s HMRC debt is £788,409. The judge said: "I'm very unimpressed at the lack of information that's been provided both to HMRC and to the court prior to this hearing. That, I really think, is the wrong step for him to take."

He added that Mendy must attend any further hearings or be legally represented. The proceedings were adjourned until October 4 (11am) to allow Mendy to sell his £5m house in Macclesfield, Cheshire.