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| Ryan Mendes |
Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation after a team translator accused him of rape and assault.
Brazilian media reported the allegation on Saturday, saying the 36‑year‑old captain, who has appeared in all three of Cape Verde’s World Cup matches so far, is accused of entering the translator’s hotel room in New Zealand in March and choking her.
The translator, a Brazilian national, who was hired to assist the team during matches in New Zealand, told reporters she sought help from at least three officials within Cape Verde’s football organization but received no response.
New Zealand police have since opened an investigation. Authorities obtained hotel security camera footage from an Auckland property and are awaiting forensic results before deciding whether to press charges against Mendes.
New Zealand outlets first reported the alleged sexual assault last month without naming the player, only noting that the suspect was a member of Cape Verde’s squad.
In a public statement, the translator said she had been hired by Cape Verde’s team for their fixtures in the FIFA Series in New Zealand and that, after the team’s first match against Chile, she was invited to a meeting in one of the hotel rooms reserved for the national side.
“But when I realised that I wasn’t needed to translate and that this was a social gathering, I returned to my room and, shortly after, heard knocking on the door.”
When she opened it, Mendes allegedly forced his way into her room, throttled, punched, and bit her, before raping her, the lady was quoted as saying in a statement to New Zealand police.
She shared pictures of injuries to her mouth, neck, leg, and side, which were handed to the police.
Mendes, whose Cape Verde team made history as the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout rounds, has not yet responded to the allegations.
Soccer’s governing body, FIFA, issued a statement hours after the allegations were first reported on Sunday.
The organisation said it is in contact with New Zealand authorities and takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously,” according to Brazil’s media.
However, it said it could not comment on the allegations or confirm whether any investigations are underway.
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