World · East Asia & Pacific · 23 mins ago
New Zealand police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde captain
New Zealand police have dismissed a rape allegation against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes, saying it was not substantiated after months of investigation.
A 40-year-old woman who made the complaint has been charged with making a false statement under New Zealand law.
Police say the alleged assault took place at a hotel in central Auckland in March, hours after Cape Verde played Chile in a friendly.
Mendes faced repeated questions about the allegation after Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 World Cup, according to his lawyer.
Mendes, 36, is Cape Verde's most-capped player, with 103 appearances for the national team.
The complainant is expected to appear in court next week, and Mendes's lawyer says his client hopes to move on from the case.
New Zealand police have dismissed a rape allegation against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes, saying it was not substantiated.
A 40-year-old woman who made the allegation has been charged with making a false statement under New Zealand’s Crimes Act.
Police said the investigation took months, and the woman is expected to appear in court next week.
Mendes’s lawyer said the allegation brought intense international media scrutiny.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place at a central Auckland hotel in March, hours after Cape Verde played Chile in a friendly.
- Who
- Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes was cleared of the allegation. A 40-year-old woman who made the complaint was charged with making a false statement.
- What
- New Zealand police dismissed the rape allegation as unsubstantiated and charged the woman with making a false statement.
- When
- Police announced the decision on Friday, November 6, 2026. The alleged incident was in March.
- Where
- A hotel in central Auckland, New Zealand.
- Why
- Police said the allegation had not been substantiated following months of investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged sexual assault was said to have occurred at a central Auckland hotel.
Police said the allegation had not been substantiated and charged the woman with making a false statement.
The woman is expected to appear in court.
- Allegation location
- Central Auckland hotel
- Allegation timing
- March
- Accuser
- 40-year-old woman
- Charge
- Making a false statement under New Zealand’s Crimes Act
- Mendes’s international appearances
- 103 for Cape Verde since his debut in 2010
4 sources
Ryan Mendes cleared of rape allegations, accuser faces false statement charge
Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes cleared of rape allegation as woman charged with false statement
New Zealand police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde soccer captain and charge accuser
Police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde's Mendes, charge accuser
What people are saying
A decision to prosecute in these circumstances is not taken lightly and follows months of investigative work by our Adult Sexual Assault Team,
Mr Mendes was thrilled to finally be able to get this behind him and he regards it as a complete vindication,
It is to be hoped that this recent turn of events, clearing Mr Mendes of the allegation of rape, attracts the same level of media attention as the original reporting.