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The former Manchester City defender feels aggrieved that other players who were present at parties that he hosted were not sanctioned, while he lost his wages
Benjamin Mendy has claimed that several of his former Manchester City teammates, including the club captain, attended the same parties that got him in trouble without suffering similar repercussions.
This revelation comes as the former City full-back pursues an £11 million unpaid wages claim against the Premier League champions.
Mendy puts Manchester City players at wild parties
The French defender, who was acquitted last year after facing multiple rape charges, argues that his behaviour during the period of the allegations mirrored that of other City players, but only he was singled out and denied his salary during his suspension.
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In his written statement to the tribunal, Mendy revealed that a total of five City players attended the parties, which ultimately played a part in his wage suspension.
“Several Manchester City first-team players, including the club captain, were all present at the parties that I attended and hosted,” Mendy said, adding, “We all drank alcohol. We all had casual relations with women. We all breached Covid-19 restrictions.
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“This does not excuse my behaviour, but I feel that it is unfair for Manchester City to single me out in the way that they have.
“The difference between me and the other Manchester City players is that I was the one that was falsely accused of rape and publicly humiliated.”
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At the time of Mendy’s initial police investigation, Brazil's Fernandinho was City’s club captain, with Kyle Walker now holding the role. Mendy, however, did not name any specific players in his statement.
Tribunal hears Mendy’s defence
During the hearing, Mendy expressed frustration at being portrayed as reckless by Manchester City, especially given that he was acquitted of the charges.
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“I was doing nothing different than several of Manchester City’s first-team players,” Mendy argued, claiming the club was attempting to unfairly scapegoat him for his behaviour.
While Mendy did not disclose which players lent him money after the club stopped paying him, the tribunal heard that Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, and Riyad Mahrez had supported the Frenchman financially.
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Additionally, a witness in Mendy’s first trial had previously claimed that Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker had been seen at one of Mendy’s house parties, although there was no suggestion of any illegal behaviour by these teammates.
Mendy's tribunal will now decide whether Manchester City should pay him for his loss of earnings during the time he was suspended by the club during his sexual assault trial.
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