Ryan Mendes, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde’s captain, is
being investigated by police for an alleged s*xual assault on a translator who
once worked with the team, Globo Esporte, a Brazilian media outlet, has
reported.
The development is unfolding right in the middle of Cape
Verde’s historic campaign at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the report, New Zealand police are
investigating the alleged incident that occurred on March 27, 2026, at a hotel
in Auckland during the Cape Verde squad’s participation in the FIFA Friendly
Series tournament held in the country.
The complainant, an unidentified Brazilian woman, was hired
by the Cape Verdean federation to provide translation and operational support
during the tournament.
In her statement, the complainant detailed how Mendes
allegedly forced his way into her hotel room one night and choked, punched, and
bit her before s*xually assaulting her.
The report said medical and forensic examinations later
documented multiple physical injuries, including vaginal lesions and extensive
bruising on her lips, neck, and breasts. These findings, along with
photographic evidence, have been submitted to investigators.
The complainant and her husband reportedly reached out to
three top Cape Verde football officials and sent an extrajudicial notification
to FIFA in May, requesting that Mendes be excluded from the World Cup roster
while the probe was active. The federation allegedly failed to act, with one
WhatsApp exchange indicating an official dismissed the matter as a “personal
issue” for the player.
New Zealand Police have confirmed that an active
investigation is underway and that security footage from the Auckland hotel has
been collected.
However, in line with local privacy laws, authorities have
not publicly named Mendes as the subject of the investigation. No official
criminal charges have been filed yet, as police await the final forensic
results.
Mendes, who plays club football for Turkish second-division
side Iğdır, is Cape Verde’s most-capped player and record goalscorer. He
started and played a pivotal role in all three group-stage matches.
Cape Verde finished second in Group H ahead of powerhouse
Uruguay after securing draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. They
will face Argentina in the last 32 on July 3.
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