Premier League winner Benjamin Mendy, 31, released by Swiss side five months after joining following party controversy
MENDY AXED Premier League winner Benjamin Mendy, 31, released by Swiss side five months after joining following party controversy
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BENJAMIN MENDY has been released by Swiss side FC Zurich after just five months following controversy over a post-match party.
The former Manchester City star, 31, joined Zurich in February following a spell at French outfit Lorient.
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FC Zurich have released Benjamin Mendy after just eight games
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The defender previously won the Premier League title with Man City
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Mendy clocked up eight appearances for his new team, helping them avoid relegation.
But despite having a year left to run on his contract, the left-back has seen his Zurich deal ripped up.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Mendy's off-field behaviour was behind their decision to swing the axe.
It's claimed that he left Zurich chiefs fuming after attending a party in April — just hours after a 4-0 defeat to rivals Basel.
Mendy never recovered in the eyes of manager Ricardo Moniz, who had some harsh words for the defender.
He said: 'Mendy didn't perform as expected of a player of his calibre.
'His physical condition isn't up to what we expect from a player in this league.
'After a 4-0 defeat, you can't afford to do that to the fans.'
Mendy's move to Switzerland came after he was suspended by City in 2021 after being charged with rape.
He was eventually found not guilty of all charges and successfully took City to an employment tribunal over unpaid wages.
Benjamin Mendy has won the majority of his battle against Manchester City over £11.5million in unpaid wages
Mendy then penned a deal with Lorient but only managed 15 games before moving to Zurich.
He played 75 times during his time at City though, winning three Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola.
Mendy, who also won Ligue 1 at Monaco, was part of the France team that lifted the 2018 World Cup too — with his last cap coming in 2019.
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