Cape Verde’s soccer team captain accused of raping translator before star World Cup run

The captain of Cape Verde’s World Cup team, Ryan Mendes, has been accused of rape by a team translator during a trip to New Zealand in March. The translator, a Brazilian woman, alleged that Mendes entered her hotel room, choked her, and sexually assaulted her. The incident is currently under investigation by New Zealand police, who are reviewing security camera footage and awaiting forensic results before deciding whether to press charges.

The woman claimed that after a team meeting, Mendes forced his way into her room, attacked her, and raped her. She reported the assault to New Zealand authorities and provided evidence of her injuries. Mendes, who has played in all three of Cape Verde’s World Cup games, has not yet responded to the allegations.

FIFA, the governing body of soccer, issued a statement expressing their commitment to taking misconduct allegations seriously and working with New Zealand authorities on the case. However, they could not provide further details on any ongoing investigations.

This incident has cast a shadow over Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey, where they made history as the smallest nation to reach the knockout rounds. The seriousness of the allegations against Mendes has raised concerns within the soccer community and among fans. The outcome of the investigation will determine the next steps in this troubling situation.