World Cup captain named as player under NZ police investigation over alleged sex assault

The captain of a Fifa World Cup team is being investigated by New Zealand police over an alleged rape in an Auckland hotel.

The complainant was working as a Fifa-mandated team support worker, a role defined and overseen by the sport’s world governing body.

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

His identity has been confirmed by extensive correspondence and documentation relating to the case which has been seen by the Herald, as well as multiple sources close to the matter.

The alleged incident, which was first revealed by the Herald in May, occurred during the Fifa Series tournament in New Zealand in March, a four nation tournament involving the host country, Finland, Chile and Cape Verde.

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.

Ryan Mendes of Cape Verde during the Fifa World Cup Group H match against Spain. Photo / AFP

Mendes has been named in testimony and interviews given to New Zealand Police by the complainant. The Herald has also sighted confidential correspondence from a Cape Verde official discussing the alleged incident, saying it is “something for Ryan and his lawyers to deal with”.

Fifa has been aware of the identity of the player under investigation for several weeks. No other Cape Verde player or official is under investigation.

On May 10, when asked by the Herald about an investigation into a sexual assault complaint at the team’s hotel involving an international sportsman, Police said:

“Police can confirm an allegation is under investigation. We are unable to comment further at this time.”

When contacted by the Herald ahead of this story, police said the investigation was ongoing but declined to provide any further updates.

It is also believed Police have been provided with CCTV footage from the hotel. The establishment wouldn’t comment when contacted by the Herald.

The player’s manager and agent have been contacted on multiple occasions over the past eight weeks, but have yet to respond.

The Cape Verde federation has also declined to questions related to the case over the past seven weeks. Secretary general Dan Merkel has yet to respond to a series of questions regarding the investigation, including whether Cape Verde had either initiated or concluded their own process or inquiry.

When contacted ahead of this story, Merkel did not answer, while the federation’s media officer, based in Tampa with the team, was also contacted last week

He responded: “Hello, thank you for contacting us. An interview will not be possible.”

The Herald’s exhaustive investigation over the past 12 weeks have established:

• The complainant was the team liaison officer for Cape Verde at the Fifa Series tournament, and her appointment was coordinated by New Zealand Football, to an agreed set of specifications set by Fifa.
• The complainant was staying at the Cape Verde team hotel, part of the job description and mandated by Fifa.
• A Brazilian law firm, acting for the complainant, has served legal letters to Mendes in Cape Verde and also Turkey where his club is based.
• The same law firm has also sent an official notice to Fifa regarding the alleged incident, the police investigation and the ongoing participation of Mendes in the Fifa World Cup.
• The alleged incident has been discussed at the highest levels of the Cape Verde federation.

It’s understood the alleged incident was first reported to a Cape Verde official on March 28, while they were still in New Zealand for the tournament. It’s believed no action was taken at that stage.

The tournament document outlined the description of the complainant’s role:

“A Fifa team liaison officer (TLO) plays a crucial role in ensuring that participating teams have a smooth and successful experience during tournaments by acting as the primary point of contact between the teams and Fifa or the local organising committee (LOC).”

The document went on to describe the key responsibilities of a TLO, who serve as the “main link between the assigned team and Fifa/LOC”. As well as facilitating communication and addressing any requests that may arise, liaison officers assist with daily schedules, training requirements and logistical needs.

The Fifa documents said that TLOs are “are expected to be present with their assigned teams throughout the tournament, to ensure that all services provided by Fifa and the LOC meet the team’s needs.”

The guideline concluded that Fifa TLOs are “integral to the smooth operation of tournaments, providing essential support to teams. Their work significantly contributes to the overall success of the event”.

Each of the 48 nations at this World Cup have at least one team liaison officer, appointed by Fifa and shadowing them throughout.

Most capped player

Mendes is the most capped player in Cape Verde history, having appeared for the national team on 100 occasions, since making his international debut in 2010. He has scored a record 22 goals.

Mendes has played for top clubs in France, United Arab Emirates and Turkey across his career and had a loan stint at Nottingham Forest a decade ago, when they were in the Championship. Mendes came through the famed Le Havre academy and has also played in Ligue 1 and in the UEFA Champions League with Lille.

The 36-year-old is currently playing for Igdir FK in Turkey’s second tier.

He was confirmed as Cape Verde’s captain at this World Cup on May 18, when their 26-man roster was named. An Instagram post by the Federation two days later described him as: “The leader who helped turn ten small islands into one of African football’s greatest underdog stories.”

Sources close to the investigation have told the Herald that the alleged episode took place on the sixth floor of the team hotel. According to an internal tournament guide, the team and Cape Verde officials were accommodated on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh floors.

A source close to the victim said she had been profoundly impacted by the alleged incident.

The Fifa Series began in 2024. It is a new initiative from the sport’s governing body, to facilitate matches for teams from different confederations. Fifa covered most of the costs for the tournament, including return business class airfares for the teams and the accommodation.

The series in New Zealand was one of nine tournaments played in parallel across the globe in the March international window.

The Cape Verde squad arrived in New Zealand on March 22 and 23. They lost 4-2 to Chile in their opening match, before edging Finland in a penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw at 90 minutes.

Cape Verde are at their first World Cup, after their historic qualification last October. The archipelago, located off the coast of Senegal, is the second smallest country by population to feature at a World Cup.

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.