Former Premier League star Benjamin Mendy has been given additional time to settle an £800,000 tax debt and avoid bankruptcy. This development comes after the former Man City defender, who was cleared of rape and sexual assault charges last year, expressed his intention to sell his mansion.
An Urgent Need for Debt Settlement
In an effort to alleviate his financial burden, Mendy has slashed the price of his Macclesfield, Cheshire property from £5 million to £3.8 million. The sale is anticipated to take place within the next eight weeks. Louis Doyle KC, representing Mendy, emphasized the player’s determination to eliminate the debt swiftly. However, if the property remains unsold after 10 weeks, the situation could become considerably more challenging.
Legal Action Against Former Club
In addition to his tax troubles, Mendy is pursuing legal action against his former club, Manchester City. The club halted his payments when he was charged with rape in 2021, despite being subsequently found not guilty in court. This legal dispute is scheduled for mediation later this year. If Mendy were to be declared bankrupt, it could have severe repercussions on his claim against the club.
Monthly Payments to HMRC
During a previous hearing, Mendy pledged to pay HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) £20,000 per month from his salary at his current club, Lorient in France. However, he has failed to fulfill this commitment. Judge Joseph Curl KC expressed concern over Mendy’s non-payment and adjourned the case for 12 weeks to allow for the sale of the house.
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