Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has shed light on a challenging period in his life, revealing that teammates Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez lent him financial support when the club halted his wages amid serious legal accusations.

The revelations emerged during an employment tribunal, where Mendy is seeking £11.5 million in unpaid wages stemming from his suspension without pay following his rape and sexual assault charges in August 2021.

A Struggle for Survival

At the heart of Mendy's case is his assertion that the club, which continued to pay him after his initial arrest in November 2020, ceased payments once he was formally charged. Mendy, 30, argued that bail conditions preventing him from approaching the club’s facilities meant he could not fulfill his contractual obligations, justifying the suspension of his salary.

According to court documents, he quickly found himself in dire financial straits, leading to the sale of his Cheshire mansion to cover legal fees, bills, and child support.

In his testimony, Mendy expressed gratitude to his teammates, stating, "Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez all lent me money to help me try and pay my legal fees and support my family."

Unanswered Queries and Broken Promises

The hearings also revealed a communication breakdown regarding Mendy's outstanding salary. In November 2022, he reached out to Omar Berrada, the Chief Football Operations Officer at the time, but received no response about the pending payments.

Mendy's agent, Meissa N'Diaye, testified that he had been assured by Berrada on September 20, 2021, that Mendy would be compensated once the trial concluded.

However, Berrada, who has since moved on to become Manchester United's chief executive, denied providing such assurances during the tribunal.

Legal Troubles and Repercussions

The tribunal proceedings addressed not only the financial implications of Mendy's situation but also his conduct during the legal process. Evidence was presented indicating that he hosted or attended parties on 15 occasions in violation of COVID-19 and bail conditions.

Under cross-examination, Mendy acknowledged that continuing these gatherings posed a "risk" and admitted, "At the time, yes," when questioned about his awareness of the potential consequences.

Mendy asserted that he felt unfairly targeted by the club, noting that several teammates, including the club captain, had also attended the parties without facing similar repercussions.

He rejected an offer to terminate his contract, emphasizing his desire to return to training with the team.

"I believe that it is fair and just for me to be paid the wages that I would have earned but for being falsely arrested for crimes that I did not commit," he stated firmly.

Career Highlights and Future Prospects

Mendy joined Manchester City in 2017 from Monaco for a hefty £52 million, contributing to the team's triumphs in the Premier League in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

His last appearance for the club was on August 15, 2021. Following the expiration of his contract in June 2023, Mendy has since signed with the French club Lorient.

After a tumultuous legal battle that included being remanded in custody for five months, Mendy was ultimately cleared of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, and was further acquitted of additional charges during a retrial in July 2023.

The tribunal hearing, which is anticipated to last two days, continues to explore the complexities surrounding Mendy’s claims, illuminating the financial and personal turmoil experienced by the player during this challenging chapter of his career.