Cape Verde Skipper Ryan Mendes Probed Over Translator R@pe Allegation

Ryan Mendes, the 36-year-old captain of Cape Verde’s national football team, is reportedly under investigation following a r@pe accusation made by a team translator. The alleged incident, which took place during a team trip to New Zealand in March for a FIFA Series game, involves a Brazilian woman hired as a translator, according to reports from Brazil’s Globo news outlet.

The unidentified woman claims that Mendes, who has featured in all three of Cape Verde's World Cup matches to date, forced his way into her hotel room in Auckland. She further stated that he then proceeded to choke, punch, and bite her before r@ping her. She has provided New Zealand police with photographs documenting injuries to her mouth, neck, leg, and side as evidence.

Prior to reporting the matter to the police, the translator alleged that she approached at least three officials within the Cape Verdean football federation, but her concerns were reportedly not addressed. New Zealand authorities are currently investigating the case. They have collected security camera footage from the hotel and are awaiting forensic results to determine if charges will be filed against Mendes.

The alleged s£xual ass@ult was initially reported by New Zealand media last month, though the player's identity was not disclosed at the time, only that he was a member of the Cape Verde team. In her statement, the woman detailed how she was engaged by the Cape Verdean squad for their FIFA Series matches in New Zealand. After their inaugural game against Chile, she was invited to a gathering in one of the national team’s reserved hotel rooms.

Upon realizing her translation services were not required and that it was a social event, she returned to her own room. Shortly after, she heard a knock on her door. When she opened it, Mendes allegedly gained forceful entry.

Mendes, whose Cape Verde team achieved a historic milestone by becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stages, has not yet publicly responded to these serious allegations.

FIFA, football’s global governing body, released a statement hours after the allegations first surfaced on Sunday. The organization confirmed it is in communication with New Zealand authorities and views all misconduct allegations with “extreme seriousness,” as reported by Brazilian media. However, FIFA stated it could not comment on the specific allegations or confirm the existence of any ongoing investigations.