There was shocking news announced on early Wednesday afternoon when Cardiff chose to sack a player of theirs in mysterious circumstances.
The Bluebirds announced in a 26-word statement that they have terminated winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s contract with immediate effect.
The club has not explained the reasons behind the decision but it has since been learned by BBC Sport Wales that it is for an alleged breach of contract.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has had his contract terminated. The winger has spent 3 seasons with us and was a star in our 17/18 promotion. @PaulAbbandonato has said the club had no choice and it was seen as the only option.
We will have to see what comes out in due course….. pic.twitter.com/EDq2bKxNHK
— BluebirdsTalk (@BluebirdsTalk_) September 9, 2020
The 28 year old former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Peterborough United and Rochdale forward was part of the Cardiff side that won promotion to the Premier League back in 2018.
Mendez-Laing made a total of 92 appearances for the Bluebirds, also scoring 14 goals in the process.
He joined Cardiff under former manager Neil Warnock (currently managing Middlesbrough) on a free transfer from Rochdale in 2017.
“Cardiff City Football Club has, with immediate effect, terminated the contract of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing,” the Bluebirds wrote in a short statement.
“The club will not be making any further comment on the matter.”
The statement comes just three days from the beginning of the 2020/21 Championship campaign, and it’s a huge blow to the Welsh side to have Mendez-Laing no longer in the Cardiff playing squad.
It comes after Neil Harris said Mendez-Laing had not been involved in pre-season plans owing to personal reasons. The 28-year-old had also deleted all forms of social media.
However, it is understood the player’s contract termination is not mutual and it is an action which has been taken by the club upon learning of a breach of contract.
Neil Harris’ side begin their league season at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.
Journalist @PaulAbbandonato wrote on Twitter: “This is massive @CardiffCityFC news – and a terrible way to start the season. But I’m told the player is very much to blame as far as the club are concerned.
“Terrible loss. But if what I’m being told is correct the club hierarchy had no option. Or, to be precisely correct here and to be fair to Mendez, club hierarchy ‘FELT they had no option’. There are, of course, always two sides to any story…”
MENDEZ-LAING’S CAREER:
2009–2012 – Wolverhampton Wanderers
2010–2011 → Peterborough United (loan) – 33 apps (5 goals)
2011 → Sheffield United (loan) – 8 apps (1 goal)
2012–2015 – Peterborough United – 51 apps (4 goals)
2012 → Portsmouth (loan) – 8 apps (0 goals)
2014 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) – 6 apps (0 goals)
2015 → Cambridge United (loan) – 11 apps (1 goal)
2015–2017 – Rochdale – 72 apps (15 goals)
2017–2020 – Cardiff City – 85 apps (13 goals)
National team
2008 – England U16 – 2 apps (0 goals)
2008 – England U17 – 7 apps (0 goals)
There was a huge amount of reaction after Cardiff choose to sack the player in mysterious circumstances…
Erm.. what? Explanation needed, you can’t just say you won’t be making further comments.
— DL??????? (@D_Lebeau97) September 9, 2020
Lots of supporters from Championship clubs already saying they want Mendez-Laing, I’d wait a minute to actually see what he’s done for Cardiff to terminate his contract and for him to delete his socials ?
— Deano (@deanocx) September 9, 2020
Has to be failed drugs test
— Rhys Jones (@Rhysj91) September 9, 2020
Has to be something very serious doesn’t it?
Clubs don’t terminate contracts lightly,— You (@DuctileDoubloon) September 9, 2020
First rule would be that he doesn’t speak about it
— Joe * (@JMatthews69405) September 9, 2020
— Josh Goodwin (@JoshAgoodwin) September 9, 2020
First & foremost I hope his family’s ok & nothing’s wrong there. Secondly him leaving isn’t a surprise, he did say if we didn’t go up he’d move away, but the manner of this doesn’t sound right & we’d surely have commanded a fee for him. He’ll be missed, we need a replacement!!
— John (@Jonno2601) September 9, 2020
Must be serious . His twitter account has been deleted too
— the concerned leftie (@AdamJackson2009) September 9, 2020
Me: “Wonder what Mendez Laing has done to get his contract terminated, must be something serious”
Twitter: pic.twitter.com/7bjhfekA7V
— Brandon (@BrandonEfex) September 9, 2020
Cancelling Mendez-Laing’s contract because he was spotted travelling into Caerphilly County and then walking in a shop with no face mask seems a bit strong. @CardiffCityFC @cardiffcitymad
— Nigel Harris (@NigelBlues) September 9, 2020
Unless you have failed a drugs test or are about to go to jail , welcome to @Boro Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
— Andy MacFarlane (@andy_macca89) September 9, 2020
This club man… if it’s not one thing, it’s another
Change to red
Had debts out our arse
Various deaths
Promotions / Relegations
Now this Mendez-Laing stuff
Crazy club ffs
— Josh Cole-Wilkins (@JoshColeWilkins) September 9, 2020
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing anyone?
Just had his contract terminated at Cardiff.
Can operate on both wings ✅
Experienced player in this league ✅
Bags of pace ✅
Free agent ✅
Low risk ✅
Very good squad player ✅ #bcfc #kro— BCFC (@BCFCEVERYTHING) September 9, 2020
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