Cabo Verde Captain Ryan Mendes Under Investigation After Being Accused of Rape in Incident Before 2026 FIFA World Cup: Reports
The investigation involves a Brazilian translator who reported the alleged assault occurred at the team hotel in late March, with forensic analysis and police inquiries ongoing.
- Ryan Mendes, captain of Cape Verde's World Cup 2026 team, faces sexual assault allegations involving a translator during a March team trip to New Zealand, according to Brazil's Globo.
- The translator alleged Mendes assaulted her at an Auckland hotel following a March 27 match against Chile; she reported the incident to three Cape Verde Football Association officials but received no response.
- On May 10, the woman and her husband submitted complaints to the Cape Verdean Football Federation and FIFA, including a medical report and requesting Mendes be barred from the World Cup.
- New Zealand Police received investigation results on April 10, while FIFA confirmed it is in contact with local authorities; the Cape Verde Football Association declined to comment to Globo.
- These allegations cast a shadow over Cape Verde's performance, where the team secured a 0-0 draw against Spain and became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds.
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Cape Verde Captain Ryan Mendes Investigated By Police Over Alleged Sexual Assault In New Zealand
Cape Verde's World Cup campaign has been eclipsed by an off-field police investigation involving captain Ryan Mendes. New Zealand authorities are reportedly investigating the 36-year-old forward over an alleged sexual assault said to have taken place during the national team's visit to Auckland in March, just months before the tournament. Brazilian outlet Globo first identified Mendes as the player at the centre of the investigation, while repor…
With the entry into the K.-o. round Kap Verde currently writes the fairy tale of the previous World Cup. But now heavy accusations overshadow the sporting success.
Cape Verde skipper accused of raping team translator on New Zealand tour before World Cup
Cape Verde’s captain, who is representing the country at the World Cup, has been accused of rape by a Brazilian woman who was appointed as the team’s translator. According to reports, he allegedly entered her hotel room and punched her. Ryan Mendes, 36, allegedly displayed uncharacteristic behavior toward the unidentified woman during the team’s March...
A Brazilian translator accuses Ryan Mendes of having sexually abused her. The incident is said to have occurred in March. Police confirm that she is investigating the Cape Verden captain.
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