Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes faces serious rape charges

Cape Verde, who qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, captured the attention of fans by reaching the knockout stage in their first appearance.

However, Cape Verde has now suffered a major setback ahead of their match against defending champions Argentina in the knockout stage.

Team captain and veteran forward Ryan Mendes is under police investigation after a woman accused him of rape in New Zealand.

According to media reports, a Brazilian woman who worked as a translator with the team during the FIFA series in New Zealand in March has alleged that Ryan Mendes forcibly entered her room in an Auckland hotel and raped her.

The reports also state that the woman has provided evidence and photographs of the alleged physical abuse to police.

Ryan Mendes has not yet been formally charged with any crime.

New Zealand police say that a decision on legal action will only be made after forensic analysis and investigation are complete.

Meanwhile, FIFA said in a statement that it takes all allegations of abuse very seriously and is in contact with New Zealand authorities on the matter, but cannot comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

Ryan Mendes has played all three of Cape Verde's matches in the current World Cup.