Watch: Hope Solo goes on rant after being suspended
U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo went into a rant after being told she was suspended by U.S. soccer and had her national team contract terminated for calling Sweden’s national team “cowards” following a quarterfinal loss over at the Rio Olympics.
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati called Solo's comments about Sweden "unacceptable" and said they did not "meet the standard of conduct we require from our national team players." Gulati also cited Solo's past behavior when considering her ban. She will receive three months severance pay and be eligible for reinstatement and a new contract in February.
In the video clip, which is part of a documentary Solo is shooting with other U.S. players Megan Rapinoe and Crystal Dunn called "Keeping Score," Solo reacts after being told of her punishment. She starts to cry and is consoled by her husband, former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens.
“Six month suspension no pay, terminated contract effective immediately,” Solo says in the video. “17 f------ years and it’s over!”
Solo has won one World Cup title and two Olympic gold medals, spanning 202 national team appearances with 102 clean sheets to her record.
U.S. players representative Rich Nichols has said an appeal will be filed on Solo's behalf, calling the suspension "excessive, unprecedented, disproportionate and a violation of Ms. Solo's First Amendment rights."
- Scooby Axson
