Striker Ryan Mendes, captain of the Cape Verde team competing in the World Cup, is under investigation by New Zealand police. A rape complaint was filed by a Brazilian citizen, whose name will be kept confidential, in a case that dates back to March this year. The incident reportedly took place in a hotel in Oceania, where the team was staying for a series of friendlies, and the official investigation began on April 10.
A reporter had access to significant evidence, including photographs of bruises that were handed over to authorities, the formal record of the complaint and the medical report from a clinic that offered support to the Brazilian woman. This document details examinations and psychological assistance received after the incident. The woman was working for the New Zealand Football Federation, acting as an interpreter and operational support for the Cape Verde delegation, which uses Portuguese as its official language, during the FIFA Series event.
To investigate the facts, the journalistic team contacted the Brazilian woman’s family, representatives of Ryan Mendes, the local police, the New Zealand Football Federation, the Cape Verde Federation, FIFA and lawyers specializing in the country’s legal proceedings.
The incident, according to the complaint’s report, occurred on March 27 of this year, at the hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, which housed the Cape Verdean delegation. The team participated in the FIFA Series, a friendly tournament that brings together teams from different global confederations.
During the month of March, the FIFA Series promoted matches in eight nations. The Cape Verde team was in New Zealand for two clashes: a 4-2 defeat to Chile, on March 27, and a 1-1 draw with New Zealand on the 30th, with a 4-2 victory on penalties.
The Brazilian, who has a residence and work visa in New Zealand, was at the event under contract from the New Zealand Federation, performing the functions of interpreter and operational assistance for the Cape Verde team. Because of this, she was staying in the same hotel as the delegation, available to the team on a 24-hour basis.
She reported to the police that, after the first match against Chile, she was called to a meeting in one of the rooms reserved for the team at the hotel. He believed that his presence was necessary to carry out translations.
However, she realized that the occasion was a celebration and decided to return to her room, feeling unwell. She says that, shortly after, she heard a knock on her door and opened it, assuming it was a request related to her work.
It was at that moment, according to the testimony, that Ryan Mendes invaded the room, physically attacking her with chokes, punches and bites while she tried to defend herself, and later raped her.
Still at the hotel, the Brazilian managed to record the visible injuries with photographs, including cuts on her lips and bruises on her neck, leg and side of her body. These images, which do not identify her, were analyzed.
Seeking help at a clinic specialized in caring for survivors of sexual violence, the Brazilian woman underwent a detailed forensic examination. The medical report documented the presence of multiple bruises (purple spots) on the breasts, neck and lips, in addition to areas of sensitivity on the scalp and buttocks. The importance of such a complete record and specialized care, crucial to the investigation and victim support, reflects the seriousness with which such cases are treated by New Zealand authorities.
In the genital examination, the report points to the existence of “two circular lesions, painful on palpation, at the base of the labia minora”. After receiving assistance from the clinic, which continues to offer psychological support, the Brazilian woman formalized the complaint to the police and underwent an examination at the police station. She also stated that she sought support from the Cape Verdean Football Federation, but did not receive the expected help.