Police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde's Mendes, charge accuser

New Zealand police have dismissed a rape allegation against Cape Verde soccer captain Ryan Mendes and charged the 40-year-old accuser with making a false statement under New Zealand's Crimes Act. Detective Inspector Scott Beard announced on Friday that a claim of sexual assault at a central Auckland hotel in March was not substantiated after months of investigation by the Adult Sexual Assault Team. The alleged incident was said to have occurred hours after Cape Verde played Chile in a friendly match in Auckland, which Chile won 4-2; the accuser is expected to appear in court next week.