NZ Police Drop Charges Against Cape Verde Captain Ryan Mendes
New Zealand authorities have dropped all rape charges against Ryan Mendes, the captain of the Cape Verde national football team, following a monthslong investigation that led police to instead charge his accuser with making false statements.
Investigation Clears Football Star
Inspector Scott Beard of the Auckland Police confirmed on Wednesday that the allegation of a sexual assault at a central Auckland hotel in March was unsubstantiated. In a dramatic reversal, police have now charged the 40-year-old complainant under the New Zealand Crimes Act for providing false information. She is scheduled to appear in court next week.
“The decision to proceed with a charge in these circumstances is not taken lightly,” Inspector Beard stated. “It is the result of months of investigative work conducted by our Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team.”
Vindication for the Blue Sharks Captain
The alleged incident was reported just hours after Cape Verde’s 4-2 friendly match against Chile in Auckland. Since then, the cloud of the investigation has hung over Mendes as he led his team through their historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Mendes’ lawyer, Karl Trotter, highlighted the heavy toll the “intense international media speculation” took on the veteran winger, noting that the allegation was raised during nearly every press conference the player attended over the past several months.
“Mr. Mendes is very pleased to finally be able to put this matter behind him and considers this decision a complete vindication of his name,” Trotter told the New Zealand Herald. He added that he hopes the news of his client’s innocence receives the same level of global coverage as the initial accusation.
A Legendary Career Continues
The 36-year-old Mendes is a sporting icon in his home country. He is Cape Verde’s most-capped player, having represented the “Blue Sharks” 103 times since his debut in 2010. Currently playing for RS Berkane in Morocco, Mendes can now focus entirely on leading his nation toward their upcoming World Cup appearance.
Image: Pexels – Lara Farias
