2 min learnUp to date: Jun 29, 2026 11:17 AM IST
World Cup debutants Cape Verde’s historic qualification for the knockout stage on Saturday has been marred by an investigation into rape expenses levelled by a Brazilian girl in opposition to their captain on Sunday.
In response to Brazil information outlet Globo, ahead Ryan Mendes is accused of sexually assaulting a lady who labored as a translator with the staff in New Zealand through the FIFA sequence match performed between March 27-30 this 12 months.
Globo reported that the girl alleged that Mendes entered her resort room in Auckland and bodily and sexually assaulted her. The alleged incident was reported to authorities, and she or he underwent a sexual assault examination. The lady is claimed to have reported the incident to a few Cape Verde officers, who didn’t reply to the allegations.
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Soccer’s world physique, FIFA, stated in an announcement to USA As we speak that “any allegations of misconduct” might be taken severely and that they have been in touch with the New Zealand authorities. “Please perceive we can not remark additional at this stage,” FIFA’s assertion stated.
The 36-year-old Mendes, who featured in all three group-stage matches on the World Cup, has featured in all by 17 minutes within the group stage. Since making his nationwide debut, Mendes has received 100 worldwide caps and recorded 22 targets. Having spent a majority {of professional} profession in France and the UAE Professional League, Mendes presently represents Turkish second division membership Iğdır.
Cape Verde’s qualification has been among the many heartwarming tales of the World Cup’s expanded 48-team pool. An archipelago of 10 volcanic islands not removed from the Western African coast, Cape Verde completed second in Group H, securing a berth within the World Cup knockouts at their first try. They turned the smallest nation, by measurement and inhabitants, to qualify for the World Cup knockout phases, pushing down Uruguay to 3rd place, in lower than eight months since they secured their berth on the sport’s grandest stage.