New Zealand police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde soccer captain and charge accuser

Associated Press · Steve Mcmorran · 2026-11-06 01:42 UTC

New Zealand police have dismissed a rape allegation against Cape Verde soccer captain Ryan Mendes and have charged the accuser with making a false statement. Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Friday the claim that a sexual assault occurred at a central Auckland hotel in March had not been substantiated. A 40-year-old woman has been charged under New Zealand’s Crimes Act with making a false statement. She is expected to appear in court next week.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand police have dismissed a rape allegation against Cape Verde soccer captain Ryan Mendes and have charged the accuser with making a false statement.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Friday the claim that a sexual assault occurred at a central Auckland hotel in March had not been substantiated.

A 40-year-old woman has been charged under New Zealand’s Crimes Act with making a false statement. She is expected to appear in court next week.

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