🇨🇻 Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation for alleged rape.
The investigation is being conducted by New Zealand Police.
The alleged incident took place in March at the hotel where the Cape Verde national team was staying during its tour of Oceania for friendly matches, and the investigation has been ongoing since April 10.
GE has obtained photos of bruises submitted to police, the official complaint, and the medical report.
The complainant is a Brazilian woman who had been hired by the New Zealand Football Federation as a Portuguese interpreter.
She told police that after the match against Chile, she was invited to a hotel room for what she believed was a meeting where she would be interpreting. However, she realized it was actually a celebration, felt uncomfortable, and returned to her own room.
A short time later, she heard a knock on her door. Thinking it was related to work, she opened it.
According to the complaint, Ryan Mendes then entered the room and allegedly physically and sexually assaulted her as she tried to defend herself.
The Brazilian woman and her husband said they sent a request to the Cape Verde Football Federation and FIFA asking that the player not be allowed to participate in the World Cup, but they have not received a response.
(@geglobo)
Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation for alleged rape
