Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes cleared after sexual assault allegations

Cape Verde player Ryan Mendes will not be charged with rape after an investigation in New Zealand cleared the midfielder, his lawyer said.

Accusations that Mendes had sexually assaulted a Brazilian translator working with the group during a trip to New Zealand were first reported during the World Cup . Cape Verde, a country of fewer than 500,000 people off the coast of Western Africa, was on a fairy tale run, avoiding defeat against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to move into the knockout stages.

Cape Verde manager Bubista, who now coaches the Moroccan club where Mendes plays, refused to answer questions about the allegations ahead of a Round of 32 meeting with Argentina. Mendes captained Cape Verde in that match, a heroic performance that saw the Blue Sharks push the eventual runners-up to extra time before falling, 3-2 .

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After a civil claim and an investigation by police in New Zealand, Mendes' lawyer Karl Trotter said the 36-year-old has been cleared.

"The New Zealand Police have advised counsel in writing that they have concluded their investigation of the matter and Mr Mendes will not be facing charges. Today, and in connection with this matter, the police have charged a female pursuant to s. 111 Crimes Act 1961, with making a false statement," Trotter said in a statement released Nov. 4. "It is to be hoped that this recent turn of events, clearing Mr. Mendes of the allegation of rape, attracts the same level of media attention as the original reporting."

Police in New Zealand confirmed to local media outlets that the woman is expected in court to answer the charges of making a false statement.

"A decision to prosecute in these circumstances is not taken lightly and follows months of investigative work by our Adult Sexual Assault Team," Detective Inspector Scott Beard said .

Despite their strong showing at the World Cup, Cape Verde fell in both of its first two games after the tournament, African Cup of Nations qualification matches against Mali and Rwanda. Mendes was in the starting lineup for both of those games and has been recalled for back-to-back matches with Liberia this month.