New Zealand police dismiss rape allegation against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes

Police said the claim, concerning an incident at a central Auckland hotel in March, was not substantiated, and charged the accuser with making a false statement.

• Detective Inspector Scott Beard said Friday the allegation of sexual assault at a central Auckland hotel had not been substantiated.
• A 40-year-old woman has been charged under the Crimes Act with making a false statement and is expected to appear in court next week.
• Beard said the decision to prosecute followed months of investigative work by the Adult Sexual Assault Team.
• The allegation concerned an incident reported hours after Cape Verde played Chile in an Auckland friendly in March.