'It's a personal problem': How Cape Verde federation distanced itself from sex-assault claim

The woman who complained of an alleged sexual assault by Cape Verde football captain Ryan Mendes in Auckland was told by a representative of the sport’s governing body in the small African nation that the case “has nothing to do with the [Cape Verdean Football Federation]”.

The complainant was working as a Fifa-mandated team support worker while Cape Verde played in a tournament in Auckland in March.

Cape Verde’s skipper Mendes, who will lead his nation against Argentina in the World Cup Round-of-32 match on Saturday, is the subject of the police investigation. The 36-year-old has played in all three of Cape Verde’s drawn matches at the tournament.

It’s understood the alleged assault occurred hours after a match between Cape Verde and Chile at Eden Park on March 27 at the African team’s hotel in downtown Auckland. Cape Verde team officials were made aware of the situation the next day.

Two weeks later, after Auckland Police had begun preliminary inquiries, the complainant says she woke to six missed calls from a Cape Verde official. There was also a text message:

“It’s extremely important,” she was told. “When you can, call me.”

Cape Verde's Ryan Mendes playing against Chile at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport

There was a subsequent 45-minute phone call – the details of which the Herald has chosen not to disclose – before a follow-up message days later from the same federation staffer.

“Good morning. The situation on my side is complicated. The matter is now for the player and his representatives. What happened has nothing to do with the FCF.”

The complainant also contacted another senior Cape Verde staffer around the same time, asking what action the federation was going to take.

In messages, which have been seen by the Herald, this official said the alleged sex assault was a personal matter for Mendes.

“That’s a personal problem for Ryan. The Cape Verde Federation does not approve of situations like this anywhere. But it doesn’t stop it from being a personal problem for Ryan.”

In April, the alleged complainant also reached out to another member of the Cape Verde delegation, to ask what the process might be.

The following is a transcript from the conversation, from correspondence seen by the Herald.

Cape Verde official: “It should always be SG, Dan. For institutional questions.”

(Dan Merkel is the Secretary-General of Cape Verde and the highest-ranking official within the federation.)

Complainant: “Ok. Is he aware of what’s going on?”

Cape Verde official: “Yes. Although it’s a personal issue of Ryan’s, the SG [Dan] is in the know. The matter is already with the right people.”

Complainant: “As I said to [another official] this is also a matter for the Cape Verde Federation, because I was providing a service to you guys when it occurred and Ryan was your player and at the time was called up for the games so yeah, it’s a personal problem of his but also a problem of the federation. But from now on it’ll be my lawyers who will be in touch.”

The Herald has also sighted the invoice provided to New Zealand Football for the complainant’s work.

After months of not providing a response to questions on the issue, Fifa yesterday released a statement after Mendes’ name went public.

“Fifa takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.

“As a general rule, please understand that the independent judicial bodies do not comment on allegations they may or may not have received, or whether or not investigations are underway into alleged cases. Any information they may like to share will be communicated at their discretion.

“Fifa is in contact with the New Zealand authorities. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”

The Herald has not received any replies from Merkel or the Cape Verde federation to date.

Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.

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