New Zealand authorities have officially cleared Cape Verde national team captain Ryan Mendes following a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual assault. The Auckland police confirmed on November 6, 2026, that the accusations against the 36-year-old footballer could not be substantiated.
Legal proceedings against a 40-year-old woman
The investigation, which centered on an incident reported to have occurred at a hotel in central Auckland last March, has shifted focus. According to police reports, the authorities are no longer pursuing the case against Mendes. Instead, a 40-year-old woman is now facing charges of making a false statement. She is expected to appear before the Auckland District Court next month to answer to the accusation.
Police investigation results
Detective Inspector Scott Beard stated that the allegations against Mendes did not hold up during the course of the department’s inquiry. The case had been handled by the police unit specializing in sexual offenses, which conducted a thorough review of the incident over the course of several months. The findings of this specialized unit led directly to the decision to close the file on the national team captain.
Statement from legal counsel
Karl Trotter, the attorney representing Mendes, characterized the outcome as a complete exoneration for his client. The police provided Mendes with written confirmation that the investigation had concluded and that he would face no charges. Trotter noted that the athlete had been dogged by these allegations throughout the duration of the 2026 World Cup.
🚨 New Zealand police cleared Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes of sexual assault allegations from a March 2026 incident at an Auckland hotel during the FIFA Series, determining the claims were unsubstantiated after months of investigation by their Adult Sexual Assault Team. The… pic.twitter.com/D0Jv5UX8bx
Mendes’ international career
Mendes remains the most capped player and the all-time leading goalscorer for Cape Verde, having represented his country over 100 times. During the 2026 World Cup this past summer, he served as the team’s leader as they reached the Round of 16 in their first-ever tournament appearance. The squad was eventually eliminated by Argentina, the eventual tournament finalists.
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