Benjamin Mendy’s bankruptcy case dismissed after six-figure tax debt paid

Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy’s High Court tax debt case has come to an end after he paid a six-figure sum.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had sought a bankruptcy order against the French defender over a bill previously said to be around £800,000.

At a hearing on Monday before a specialist insolvency judge, lawyers for Mr Mendy said the outstanding sum of just under £710,000 had been paid.

Louis Doyle KC, for the footballer, said proceedings had been previously adjourned to allow for the sale of Mr Mendy’s house near Macclesfield, Cheshire, and that he had now paid the debt.

The court heard the sum had not yet reached HMRC, but after receiving undertakings from lawyers, Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs dismissed the bankruptcy proceedings against Mr Mendy.

Judge Briggs said: “In the circumstances, there is nothing left in this petition… I shall accept the undertaking.

“I shall dismiss the petition with costs.”

Mr Doyle said in response: “That order marks the end of these proceedings.”

“That’s correct,” Judge Briggs replied.

Earlier on Monday, the High Court in London was told that Mr Mendy owes less than £5,000 in council tax to Cheshire East Council.

However, Mr Doyle said he was confident the debt would be paid promptly, adding that the Mr Mendy “won’t have picked up post and won’t have realised he’s in debt to the borough council” as he has been away from the property.

At a hearing in February, the court heard that Mr Mendy was bringing legal action against his former club after Manchester City stopped paying him when he was charged with rape in 2021.

The footballer was subsequently cleared of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court.

Mr Doyle told the short hearing that Mr Mendy did not previously have the money immediately available to pay the tax debt, adding that his salary for French club Lorient is “about one tenth” of his previous wage.