Ex-Man City star given more time to pay off £800,000 in tax debts and avoid bankruptcy

FORMER Premier League star Benjamin Mendy has been given more time to pay off an £800,000 tax debt and avoid bankruptcy.

The former Man City defender, 29 – cleared of rape and assault last year – is hoping to sell his mansion.

A High Court hearing was told the price in Macclesfield, Cheshire, had been reduced from £5 million to £3.8 million.

A sale is expected in the next eight weeks.

Louis Doyle KC said on behalf of Mendy: “He wants to get rid of this debt as quickly as possible.”

He continued: “If we're still not sold ten weeks later, I accept that I may be in for a completely different fight.”

The court also heard that Mr Mendy is taking legal action against former club Manchester City after they stopped paying him when he was accused of rape in 2021.

The player was acquitted of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court.

Mr Doyle said Mendy's bankruptcy could have a “potentially catastrophic impact” on his claim, which will enter mediation later this year.

At an earlier hearing, Mendy said he would pay HMRC £20,000 a month from his salary at new club Lorient in France, which he has not done.

Judge Joseph Curl KC adjourned the case for 12 weeks to allow the sale of the house, but said he was “concerned” that Mendy had not paid the monthly bill.