Auckland woman denies misleading police in pro footballer rape investigation

An Auckland woman accused of filing a false rape allegation against an international football star – casting a cloud of negative international media attention over his team’s historic World Cup run – has asked for name suppression as she now faces criminal charges.

The 40-year-old Browns Bay resident appeared for the first time in Auckland District Court today, and pleaded not guilty to making a false statement to police. She elected a trial by jury.

Defence lawyer Ish Jayanandan asked during the brief hearing that the woman receive interim name suppression. Police did not oppose the request.

The Herald was the first to report in May that a Cape Verde team member was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault.

Although team captain Ryan Mendes was not named in the initial reporting, he was later identified after overseas media outlets reported the investigation.

The woman alleged she was victimised on March 27 in the team’s Auckland hotel, hours after Cape Verde played Chile at Eden Park.

Police had confirmed to the Herald they were investigating the allegation but declined to comment further.

Authorities allege she participated in an evidential video interview with police in May that would have amounted to perjury had it been introduced in court.

If convicted, the woman could face up to three years’ imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said in a media statement last week that the woman’s initial claim had been thoroughly looked into.

“A decision to prosecute in these circumstances is not taken lightly and follows months of investigative work by our adult sexual assault team,” he said.

Mendes’ lawyer Karl Trotter said the decision to not charge his client, paired with the initial complainant being charged, amounted to “complete vindication” for the footballer.

Defence lawyer Karl Trotter, right, accompanies client Israel Adesanya into Auckland District Court in January 2024 after the UFC star pleaded guilty to drink driving. Photo / Jason Oxenham

“Mr Mendes was thrilled to finally be able to get this behind him,” he told the Herald, noting the woman’s allegation had purportedly fuelled a civil claim by a Brazilian lawyer seeking “not less than US$800,000 [$1.4 million]” from Mendes and Fifa.

The reversal of circumstances last week was reported around the world, including in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Guardian.

The woman has been allowed to remain on bail, with conditions that she not change her address or contact the complainant.

She was ordered to return to court in February for a follow-up administrative hearing.

A trial date has not yet been set.

Cape Verde fought their way to draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the Football World Cup earlier this year. The matches earned the team the distinction of being the smallest nation to ever reach the competition’s knockout stage.

Cape Verde forward Ryan Mendes runs through drills during practice in Florida in June 2026. Photo / Tampa Bay Times

Mendes is the most-capped player in Cape Verde history, having appeared 103 times since 2010.

He has played for top clubs in France, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The 36-year-old is currently playing for RS Berkane in Morocco.

Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.