The former French international, who had been earning £500,000 a month at the English Premier League champions, brought his case before an employment tribunal last month.

A UK judge ruled on Wednesday that former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy should be paid the majority of the £11.5 million ($15 million) in unpaid wages withheld by the club after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2021, according to AFP.

Mendy, who previously earned £500,000 per month at the Premier League champions, took his case to an employment tribunal last month. He claimed that a senior club official had assured him he would receive his unpaid wages once he was cleared of the charges.

The 30-year-old defender, now playing for French Ligue 2 club Lorient, was acquitted of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on another rape charge and one count of attempted rape. After a retrial, Mendy was also found not guilty of those charges.

In her ruling, Employment Judge Joanne Dunlop stated that she had concluded Mendy was "entitled to recover some, but not all, of the sums claimed." Mendy had spent around five months in custody, which accounted for part of the 22-month period covered by his claim.

The judge acknowledged that while Mendy was in custody, he had been "ready and willing" to work when not detained. She added that in the absence of any contractual authorization for the employer to withhold his pay, Mendy was entitled to the wages he claimed during the periods he was available for work.

The exact amount Mendy is to be paid will be determined by Mendy and Manchester City or by the tribunal if they cannot reach an agreement.

Despite Mendy’s first arrest in November 2020, the club continued paying his salary. However, they argued that they were no longer obligated to pay him after he was charged, citing his bail conditions and a suspension from the Football Association, which prevented him from performing his duties as a player.