Sports

Man City to Pay Mendy ‘Majority’ of Unpaid Wages

Published

4 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Former Manchester City defender, Benjamin Mendy will receive “majority of his unpaid salary” from the Premier League club as ruled by a judge.

The France international who was charged with rape and sexual assault in August 2021 had taken City to an employment tribunal to claim about £11m before tax in unpaid wages after he was suspended without pay from September 2021 until he left the club in June 2023.

Judge Joanne Dunlop ruled that City were entitled to withhold Mendy’s salary for the periods he was in custody, which amounted to about five of the 22 months he was not paid.

A Football Association suspension meant Mendy was unable to fulfil his contractual obligations when not in custody and the judge said City were not entitled to withhold his pay during this time.

“The fact that Mr Mendy’s contract contained no provision permitting the club to withhold wages where an FA suspension and/or bail conditions prevented the player from performing his obligations was an important part of the reason for this decision,” a summary judgement read.
“The result of this decision is that Mr Mendy will be entitled to receive the majority of his unpaid salary, although not all of it.”

Mendy’s basic wage was £6 million a year.

In the judgement, Judge Joanne Dunlop said, “I found that Mr Mendy was “ready and willing” to work during the non-custody periods, and was prevented from doing so by impediments (the FA suspension and bail conditions) which were unavoidable or involuntary on his part.”

She said the amount Mendy will receive will be calculated between the two parties or, at a future hearing if it cannot be agreed.

Mendy joined City from Monaco in a £52m deal in 2017 and won the Premier League in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
His final appearance for the club was on 15 August 2021.

Mendy, who left City when his contract expired, currently plays for French side Lorient.

He was remanded in custody for five months before being released on bail in January 2022.

Sports

Kayode Bags 2024 Golden Boy Awards

Published

5 days ago

November 28, 2024

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode has been named the Best Young Italian Player in the 2024 Golden Boy Awards.

The announcement was made on the Golden Boy X handle on Wednesday, celebrating Kayode’s outstanding season with the Serie A club.

“Best Italian Player Under 21 is MICHAEL KAYODE! Congratulations to @acffiorentina full-back for his incredible season!” the tweet read.

Born in Bergamo, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Kayode began his youth career at Juventus, where he spent seven years before moving on in 2018.

The 20-year-old spent the 2020–21 season with Serie D club Gozzano, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in 34 appearances, helping the club secure promotion to Serie C.

In 2021, Kayode joined Fiorentina and quickly made a name for himself within their youth sector. He won both the Coppa Italia Primavera and the Supercoppa Italiana Primavera with the club.

Kayode made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina on August 19, 2023, in a 4–1 victory over Genoa.

By the end of the season, he had become a regular in the first team, with his performances drawing attention from top European clubs. He also played a significant role in Fiorentina’s run to the UEFA Conference League final.

Sports

Trabzonspor Interested in Super Eagles Defender Bruno Onyemaechi

Published

5 days ago

November 27, 2024

ADMIN

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Turkish football club Trabzonspor has shown interest in signing Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi, with plans to add a new left-back to their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.

Trabzonspor has reportedly initiated talks with Portuguese side Boavista regarding a potential transfer for the 25-year-old full-back. Boavista is open to selling Onyemaechi for approximately €2 million.

Onyemaechi, who joined Boavista from CD Feirense on loan in 2022, had his move made permanent the following season. The defender has two years remaining on his contract with Boavista and has scored once in 11 league appearances for the club this season.

Sports

2024 WAFCON Draw: Nigeria Eyes Glory as Tunisia Awaits

Published

1 week ago

November 23, 2024

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

The draw for the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Mohammed VI Technical Centre in Salé, Morocco, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament from July 5 to 26, 2025.

Nigeria, 11-time champions and perennial favorites, leads Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.

The Super Falcons, aiming for their 12th title, are set to reinforce their dominance in African women’s football.

Tunisia enters the tournament on the back of impressive progress in recent years, while Algeria makes a much-anticipated return to the continental stage.

Botswana, an underdog, could disrupt expectations with a rising team eager to prove its worth.

In Group A, hosts Morocco will look to deliver both on and off the pitch. The Atlas Lionesses, who were finalists in the last edition, face formidable opponents in Zambia, Senegal, and the returning DR Congo.

Group C promises fireworks as defending champions South Africa clash with Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania in what is expected to be a fiercely contested group.

As anticipation builds, the 2024 WAFCON is shaping up to be a historic event, with fans eagerly awaiting to see who will dethrone South Africa or if the defending champions will retain their crown.

One thing is certain: African women’s football will take center stage in July 2025, delivering drama and unforgettable moments.