Mendes investigated as Cape Verde prepare for Argentina

Mendes under police investigation in New Zealand

Your captain is being investigated by police in New Zealand over an allegation of rape, four days before Cape Verde face Argentina in the World Cup round of 32 (1). Ryan Mendes, 36, has not been charged. New Zealand authorities confirmed the investigation on Monday. FIFA issued a short statement: "FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident" (1).

Argentina await on Friday in Miami

The match goes ahead. Cape Verde face Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Friday, 3 July, in the last 32 of the World Cup (1) (2). The Blue Sharks are heavy underdogs against the defending champions. Cape Verde's president José María Neves told reporters he will do everything he can to get the squad a shirt with Messi's number 10 on it as a tribute (2).

Fan reactions

Blue Sharks supporters online are split. Some want the focus kept strictly on the Argentina match and the historic knockout debut. Others say the Mendes story cannot be ignored, captain or not. The main discussion thread on Reddit is here.