Cape Verde national team captain, Ryan Mendes, is under investigation following allegations that he raped a female translator after allegedly forcing his way into her hotel room and assaulting her during the team's visit to New Zealand.
According to a report by Brazil's Globo news outlet on Saturday, the 36-year-old footballer, who has featured in all three of Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup matches, was accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman employed as the team's translator during the squad's trip to New Zealand for an international fixture in March.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly informed at least three officials of the Cape Verde Football Federation about the alleged incident but claimed that no action was taken, according to Brazilian media reports.
The case is currently being investigated by New Zealand police, who have obtained surveillance footage from the Auckland hotel where the alleged incident occurred. Authorities are also awaiting the outcome of forensic examinations before deciding whether criminal charges will be filed against Mendes.
Although New Zealand media reported the alleged sexual assault last month, the identity of the footballer involved was not made public at the time, with reports only indicating that he was a member of the Cape Verde national team.
In her statement to investigators, the translator said she had been hired by Cape Verde's football team to provide translation services during the FIFA Series tournament in New Zealand.
According to her, after the team's opening match against Chile, she was invited to what she believed was a work-related meeting in one of the hotel rooms occupied by members of the squad.
"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," she said.
The woman alleged that when she opened the door, Mendes forced his way into the room, choked, punched, and bit her before raping her.
She also reportedly submitted photographs of injuries to her mouth, neck, leg, and side as evidence to New Zealand police.
Mendes has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The Cape Verde captain recently helped his country make history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
Following reports of the allegations on Sunday, football's world governing body, FIFA, issued a statement confirming that it is in contact with New Zealand authorities.
According to Brazilian media, FIFA said it treats allegations of misconduct "extremely seriously" but declined to comment further on the case or confirm whether any formal disciplinary investigation has been opened while the police inquiry remains ongoing.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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