Scandal Rocks the World Cup 2026: Cape Verde Captain Ryan Mendes Faces Rape Probe as New Zealand Police Collect CCTV Evidence and Await Forensic Results
New Zealand police are investigating Cape Verde’s World Cup captain Ryan Mendes following a rape allegation made by a Brazilian translator hired for the team’s Auckland tour in March. The complainant says she reported the alleged assault to three football officials before any of them acted. CCTV footage has been collected and forensic analysis is underway.