FIFA is in a quandary, called to comment on a sordid rape case involving a player currently involved in the 2026 World Cup. Captain of Cape Verde, Ryan Mendes, 36, is under investigation by New Zealand authorities for the alleged rape of a young interpreter.
The complaint dates back to April 10, filed by a Brazilian woman with the New Zealand police while the latter was serving as a translator for the Cape Verdean delegation during a tour of friendly matches organized in Oceania. A few days earlier, while she was staying in the same hotel as the players, Ryan Mendes allegedly took over her room before assaulting her (strangulation, biting and punching) and raping her.
FIFA doesn’t get wet
A month after filing a complaint, the young woman sent an extrajudicial notification letter to the Cape Verdean Football Federation and FIFA, to alert of course and request the exclusion of the former Le Havre and LOSC winger from the World Cup. Without any response from the international federation, the Cape Verdean officials judge themselves not to be concerned by a so-called “ personal “.
Summoned to react by the Auriverde media Globo, FIFA assures that it is “ in contact with the New Zealand authorities ”, but pleads an astonishing duty of reserve. “ FIFA takes any allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear procedure for anyone in the world of football who wishes to report an incident. Independent judicial bodies do not comment on allegations they may or may not have received, nor whether or not there are ongoing investigations into the alleged cases. Any information they wish to share will be communicated at their discretion. We cannot make any further comments at this time. »
