India, June 29 -- Their underdog displays on the field have seen them enjoy the limelight, but Cabo Verde now find themselves embroiled in controversy off the field, with their captain Ryan Mendes being accused of rape in an ongoing investigation by New Zealand police.

According to a report by Brazil news outlet Globo, Mendes stands accused of sexually assaulting and raping a Brazilian translator during Cabo Verde's participation in the invitational FIFA Series tournament in New Zealand in March earlier this year.

The FIFA Series was a four-team friendly tournament featuring Cabo Verde, Finland, Chile and hosts New Zealand.

The incident was first reported on 10th May by the New Zealand Herald, but the name of the footballer in question...