By Gloria Ogbonna
The captain of the Cape Verde national soccer team has been accused of raping a female translator in her hotel room shortly before the start of the FIFA World Cup, according to multiple reports. The allegations are now the subject of an ongoing police investigation in New Zealand.
Ryan Mendes, 36, is accused of sexually assaulting a Brazilian translator who had been hired by the Cape Verde team to assist with communication during the squad’s stay in New Zealand ahead of the tournament in March, the New York Post reported.
The woman, whose identity has not been made public, alleges that she reported the incident to at least three officials associated with the Cape Verde national team soon after it occurred. However, she claims no immediate action was taken in response to her complaint.
Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa with a population of fewer than 620,000 people, made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The allegations have cast a shadow over what had been celebrated as a landmark achievement for the country’s soccer program.
According to the woman’s account, the incident began after she attended what she believed would be an official team meeting. Upon arriving, she discovered that translation services were not needed because the gathering was informal and primarily social in nature. She then returned alone to her hotel room.
The translator alleges that Mendes later followed her to the hotel. She claims he knocked on her door, and when she opened it, he forced his way inside without permission. According to her statement, Mendes allegedly punched her in the face, bit her, and sexually assaulted her.
Police documents reportedly include photographs showing injuries to the woman’s mouth, neck, leg, and side, which investigators are reviewing as part of the case.
The matter was officially referred to New Zealand police last month. Investigators have reportedly obtained security camera footage from the Auckland hotel where the alleged assault took place and are continuing to gather evidence. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Mendes, and authorities have not announced whether any charges are forthcoming.
Neither the Cape Verde national soccer team nor government officials from Cape Verde have publicly responded to the allegations or issued statements regarding the investigation.
In a statement, FIFA said it is aware of the allegations and is closely monitoring developments. The governing body added that it takes all reports of sexual assault and misconduct “extremely seriously” but declined to comment further while the police investigation remains active.
The allegations remain unproven, and Ryan Mendes has not been convicted or formally charged with any offense. The investigation by New Zealand authorities is ongoing, and further updates are expected as officials continue reviewing evidence and interviewing those involved.
Source Breitbart
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