“Woman reports Ryan Mendes for rape and seeks help from the Cape Verdean federation.”

An international scandal is shaking African football: Ryan Mendes, captain of the Cape Verde national team, has been accused of rape by a Brazilian citizen during the team’s stay in Auckland, New Zealand. The case became even more controversial after it was revealed that the victim sought support from the Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF), but her requests were ignored by three officials of the institution, casting a shadow over the conduct of the highest authorities in Cape Verdean football.

The alleged rape is said to have occurred on March 27 of this year, at the hotel where the Cape Verde national team was staying for international commitments. The woman, hired by the New Zealand federation to serve as an interpreter and operational support for the delegation, reported that after the match against Chile, she was invited to a meeting in a reserved room of the hotel, assuming it was work-related. However, she ended up returning to her room, where she was later confronted by Ryan Mendes, a player for Igdir in Turkey, who allegedly entered without consent and committed the alleged crime.

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The victim, feeling helpless, attempted to contact three FCF employees — one woman and two men — before turning to the police authorities. According to her account, the employees merely stated that it was “a personal matter for the player,” refusing any form of institutional assistance. A formal complaint to the police was subsequently filed, triggering an investigation that has been under the purview of New Zealand authorities since April 10. Security camera footage from the hotel has been collected, and forensic examinations at a specialized clinic have revealed multiple bruises on the victim’s body, as well as “two injuries” recorded in the genital examination, according to the medical report.

The extrajudicial complaint was sent by the victim on May 10 to the FCF and to FIFA, having also resorted to FIFA’s reporting mechanism (Safeguarding), but without receiving any response to date. Only after the case was disclosed by Globoesporte did FIFA break its silence, stating that it takes “any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously” and that it is in contact with New Zealand authorities. Nevertheless, it emphasized that its “independent judicial bodies do not comment on allegations that may or may not have been received.” The host federation, from New Zealand, merely confirmed that the case is under police investigation, while the FCF has repeatedly refused to make any statements to the press.

This case raises serious questions about the protection of professionals working in international contexts in football, as well as about the response mechanisms of federations to allegations of sexual violence. The institutional passivity, evidenced by the lack of responses and support for the victim, is generating outrage and public pressure for profound changes in the support and reporting structures within the sport.

The victim, in statements to the police, described the incident, stating that “I presumed my presence was needed as an interpreter, but I was surprised by the presence of Ryan Mendes in the room.” The institutional silence aggravated the trauma, leading her to seek justice from international bodies.

The police investigation is ongoing, and the results of forensic examinations and surveillance footage are expected to be decisive for the outcome of the case. If the veracity of the accusations is confirmed, Ryan Mendes could face serious criminal and sporting consequences, potentially being removed from the Cape Verde national team and professional football. The impact on the federation itself could be devastating, jeopardizing its credibility and forcing FIFA to intervene directly.

In the coming days, pressure on the FCF and FIFA is expected to increase, with various sectors of civil society and sports demanding clear answers and concrete measures to protect victims and punish those responsible. Cape Verdean football finds itself embroiled in one of the biggest scandals in its history, with repercussions that promise to extend beyond this point.

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