Cape Verde captain accused of rape before Argentina match

Cape Verde is one of the most surprising teams in this year’s World Cup. Having drawn against the likes of Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, the team unexpectedly qualified for the round of 32, where they will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

But all is not rosy within the Cape Verde team. According to a report by ‘Globo Esporte’, team captain Ryan Mendes has been accused of raping a Brazilian woman and is being investigated by New Zealand police.

The police complaint filed against the 36-year-old striker Mendes includes photographs with bruises and a medical report detailing the woman’s physical injuries. The woman worked as an interpreter for the Cape Verde team during friendly matches in New Zealand last March.

The incident took place in March at the hotel where the team was staying during a friendly match in Oceania, and an investigation began on April 10. The New Zealand Football Federation employed the woman as an interpreter for the Cape Verde team (whose official language is Portuguese) and to provide necessary support to the national team during the FIFA international break.

He told police that after the first match against Chile, he was invited to a meeting in a hotel room reserved for the national team. He went there thinking he would have to work as an interpreter. But on getting there, he realized that it was actually a domestic or social gathering, so he returned to his room. Just then he heard a knock at the door and opened the door thinking someone had come for work.

According to the complaint, at that moment Ryan Mendes entered the room and physically assaulted her; Mendes choked, punched and bit him while trying to defend himself. He then raped her. The woman, who was staying at the hotel, also showed visible signs of injury on her body – such as cuts around her face and sores or bruises on her neck, legs and side of her body.

As a result, the Cape Verde captain may face a ban if the allegations are proven. Ahead of the knockout match against Argentina, that is worrying the Cape Verde camp.

MMR