US Soccer slaps maverick goalkeeper Hope Solo with six-month ban over Sweden ‘cowards’ remark at Olympic Games
The 35-year-old made the comments after the Americans were eliminated in a penalty shoot-out in Rio de Janeiro
United States women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo has been slapped with a six-month ban from the national team for her comments in which she called the Swedish players “a bunch of cowards”, US Soccer announced on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Solo made the comments after the Americans were eliminated in a penalty shoot-out from the Rio Olympics women’s soccer tournament on August 12.
“The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players,” US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honour those principles, with no exceptions.”
Solo wasn’t backing down on Wednesday and defended her “coward” comments by saying the suspension wasn’t warranted.