Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes accused of sexually assaulting translator
· Toronto Sun
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The captain of Cape Verde’s World Cup team is being investigated for the alleged sexual assault of a team translator.
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Ryan Mendes, 36, is accused of attacking a Brazilian woman who was hired to work as a translator during a team trip to New Zealand in March, news outlet Globo reported.
The woman, who has not been identified, told the outlet that Mendes allegedly entered her Auckland hotel room, where she and the team were staying, and assaulted her.
Accusations in detail
She said she was invited to a hotel room following a match against Chile on March 27 for what she thought was a team meeting, but realized that it was more of a social gathering — so she left and went back to her own room.
The translator said Mendes followed her and knocked on her door and when she answered it, he allegedly forced his way in, choked her, punched her, bit her and raped her, according to a statement she gave New Zealand police, per Globo .
The woman, who also provided photos to the outlet showing bruising on her neck, said she sought treatment at a clinic for survivors of sexual violence and was given a forensic exam.
The clinic reportedly found bruises on her neck, breasts, lips and a genital exam found “two circular lesions, painful to the touch,” with all documentation handed to New Zealand police.
Cops have also collected security camera footage from an Auckland hotel and are awaiting the results of a forensic investigation before they decide whether to charge Mendes.
The New Zealand Herald reported last month that a sexual assault involving a member of the Cape Verde team was under investigation, but Mendes was not named in the allegations.
The team captain has not publicly responded to the accusations.
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Cape Verde’s World Cup run
The woman’s allegations came amid Cape Verde’s World Cup fairy tale run as they broke records to become the smallest nation to reach the knockout rounds.
With Friday’s draw, the island nation off the western coast of Africa finished undefeated on three points and took second place in Group H behind 2010 World Cup winner Spain and a point ahead of two-time champion Uruguay.
Next up for Cape Verde is defending champion Argentina in a round-of-32 matchup in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Friday.
No response from soccer authority
The woman said she and her husband reported the incident to the Cape Verdean Football Federation and FIFA with the medical report and evidence of the alleged rape and requested that Mendes be barred from participating in the World Cup as punishment, but they did not receive a response.
Officials with the Cape Verde Football Association declined to comment to the outlet.
A FIFA spokesperson has since confirmed in a statement to Brazilian media that it is “in contact with the New Zealand authorities” and takes misconduct allegations “extremely seriously.”
The organization added that it “cannot comment further at this stage” as the investigation appears to be ongoing.