Hope Solo does not like to lose. It’s an admirable trait, but one she could often do with packing away once she crosses back over that white line.
The USA Women’s goalkeeper let rip at Sweden, and their style of football, after her team was eliminated from the Rio Olympics in a penalty shootout. Following the loss, Solo declared:
“We showed a lot of heart. We came back from a goal down, I’m very proud of this team. And I also think we played a bunch of cowards.
“The best team did not win today, I strongly, firmly believe that.”
Cristiano would have been proud https://t.co/89K0hAdOPP
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) August 13, 2016
Those firm beliefs have now landed Solo a six-month ban from playing with her country. US Soccer president Sunil Gulati labelled her comments as “unacceptable”. Solo will miss two national team games during the ban.
The 35-year-old took to Facebook upon learning of her ban. The words ‘sorry’ or ‘apologize’ [sic] do not appear in her post.
“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. My entire career, I have only wanted the best for this team.”
There is no mention of Solo stepping away from her international commitments.
The Seattle Reign stopper won’t be adding to her 202 national team caps until February 2017 at the earliest, and not everyone is convinced the call from US Soccer is the right one.
It seems to be a case of three (or possibly more) strikes and out, but should this even count as a strike?
https://twitter.com/TheM_L_G/status/768791958475071488
Hope Solo suspended for six months, contract terminated for saying opponents were defensive and cowardly?! Bloody hell.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/kevinmccauley/status/768677865244258304
https://twitter.com/brianphillips/status/768603110251954176
One hand: Hope Solo’s ban is cumulative, not just for the comments.
Other hand: Isn’t that confirmation they’ve handled her poorly til now?
— Ryan Rosenblatt (@RyanRosenblatt) August 25, 2016
If male footballers got six-month bans for the sort of comments Hope Solo made they'd be no players left.
— Rupert Fryer (@Rupert_Fryer) August 24, 2016
Read more
