Cape Verde national team captain Ryan Mendes has been accused of rape by a team translator, who alleged that the veteran footballer forced his way into her hotel room, assaulted her and raped her during the team’s visit to New Zealand in March.
According to a report by Brazil’s Globo news outlet on Saturday, the 36-year-old captain—who has featured in all three of Cape Verde’s World Cup matches so far—was accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman hired as the team’s translator during the FIFA Series tournament in New Zealand.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly said she raised the matter with at least three officials of the Cape Verde Football Federation but received no response, according to Brazilian media reports.
New Zealand Police have launched an investigation into the allegations. Authorities have reportedly obtained security camera footage from an Auckland hotel and are awaiting the outcome of forensic examinations before determining whether criminal charges will be filed against Mendes.
The alleged assault was first reported by New Zealand media last month, although the player’s identity was withheld at the time. Reports only indicated that the accused was a member of the Cape Verde national team.
In her statement, the woman said, “I was hired by Cape Verde’s soccer team for their games in the FIFA Series in New Zealand, and after the first match against Chile, I 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 the door, Mendes allegedly forced his way into her room, throttled, punched and bit her before raping her, according to her statement to New Zealand Police.
The complainant also submitted photographs showing injuries to her mouth, neck, leg and side as part of the evidence handed to investigators.
Mendes, who recently captained Cape Verde to a historic achievement as the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage, has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Football’s world governing body, FIFA, issued a statement hours after the allegations became public on Sunday.
The organisation said it is in contact with New Zealand authorities and takes allegations of misconduct “extremely seriously,” according to Brazilian media.
However, FIFA said it could not comment on the allegations or confirm whether any investigations are underway.
The allegations remain under police investigation, and no charges have been announced. Mendes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
