New Zealand police close sexual assault case against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes

New Zealand police have closed their investigation into a sexual assault allegation involving Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes, with the woman who made the complaint now facing a criminal charge over an allegedly false statement.

The development follows several months of investigations into a complaint lodged with Auckland City Police on April 10, 2026, concerning an alleged incident at a hotel in central Auckland during Cape Verde’s visit to New Zealand earlier this year.

According to reports by RNZ and an official New Zealand Police statement released on November 4, investigators concluded that the allegation against the experienced winger was not substantiated.

Mendes’ lawyer, Karl Trotter, confirmed that police had formally communicated the outcome of their investigation to his client, adding that the footballer would not face any charges in connection with the complaint.

The case attracted considerable international attention, particularly because of Mendes’ status as captain of the Cape Verde national team and his involvement in the country’s historic World Cup campaign.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard confirmed that the woman, aged 40, has been charged under New Zealand’s Crimes Act with making a false statement following investigations conducted by the police Adult Sexual Assault Team.

She has been summoned to appear before the Auckland District Court on November 10, 2026, where the case is expected to come before the court.

The latest development marks a significant turn in a controversy that had placed the Cape Verde skipper under intense scrutiny. However, the charge against the woman is yet to be determined by the court, and she remains presumed innocent.

Police have declined to provide further details about the matter while the legal proceedings remain pending.

Mendes, who currently plays for Moroccan club RS Berkane, is one of Cape Verde’s most experienced international players and has been an important figure in the national team’s recent progress.

The closure of the investigation means the footballer will not face prosecution over the original allegation, although the separate proceedings against the complainant are still ongoing.