Cape Verde national team captain Ryan Mendes is under police investigation in New Zealand following allegations that he sexually assaulted a female translator during the team’s international tour earlier this year.
The allegations stem from an incident said to have occurred in March while Cape Verde was in New Zealand for international fixtures. According to reports, the complainant, a Brazilian translator hired to work with the national team, alleged that Mendes forced his way into her hotel room after a post-match gathering and sexually assaulted her.
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In a statement reportedly provided to investigators, the woman said she had initially attended what she believed was a work-related meeting in one of the team’s hotel rooms following Cape Verde’s match against Chile. After realizing her translation services were not required, she returned to her room.
She alleged that Mendes later knocked on her door before forcing his way inside, where he physically assaulted and raped her. The complainant also claimed she was choked, punched and bitten during the incident.
Photographs allegedly showing injuries to her neck, mouth, leg and side were submitted to New Zealand police as part of the investigation.
The woman reportedly said she raised the allegations with several officials connected to Cape Verdean football but received no response before taking the matter to law enforcement authorities.
New Zealand police have launched a formal investigation and are said to be reviewing hotel surveillance footage while awaiting the outcome of forensic examinations before deciding whether criminal charges will be filed.
The alleged incident was first reported by New Zealand media last month, although the identity of the player involved was not disclosed at the time. Brazilian media later identified Mendes as the subject of the investigation.
Mendes, 36, has not publicly commented on the allegations. He has continued to feature for Cape Verde during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, where the island nation has made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
World football governing body FIFA said it is aware of the allegations and remains in contact with New Zealand authorities.
In a statement, FIFA said it treats allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously” but declined to comment further or confirm whether any disciplinary proceedings had been initiated while the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
The investigation continues, and no charges have been announced. Under New Zealand law, Mendes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
