US Soccer slaps Solo with six-month suspension

AFP, LOS ANGELES: USA 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 Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Solo made the comments after the Americans were eliminated in a penalty shootout 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 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 Wednesday and defended her “coward” comments by saying the suspension wasn’t warranted.
“I am saddened by the federation’s decision to terminate my contract,” Solo told Sports Illustrated. “I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I haven’t made the best choices or said the right things.”

US Soccer slaps Solo with six-month suspension

AFP, LOS ANGELES: USA womens 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 Wednesday. The 35-year-old Solo made the comments after the Americans were eliminated in a penalty shootout from the Rio Olympics womens 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 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 wasnt backing down Wednesday and defended her coward comments by saying the suspension wasnt warranted. I am saddened by the federations decision to terminate my contract, Solo told Sports Illustrated. I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even when I havent made the best choices or said the right things.