Solo hit with six- month suspension

‘ Cowards’ claims ‘ unacceptable’

US Soccer handed goalkeeper Hope Solo a 6- month ban from internationals on Wednesday after she branded opponents Sweden “a bunch of cowards” at this month’s Rio Olympic Games. The Swedes beat the US 4- 3 in a shootout on August 12 to move into the semifinals at the Rio Games, denying the Americans a chance to win a fourth straight Olympic title. “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. “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 honor those principles, with no exceptions. “Taking into consideration the past incidents involving Hope, as well as the private conversations we’ve had requiring her to conduct herself in a manner befitting a US national team member, US Soccer determined this is the appropriate disciplinary action.”

Solo, who was previously suspended for 30 days in early 2015 for her conduct, would start her suspension immediately, US Soccer said.

The 35- year- old hit the headlines in January last year over a domestic violence case that was dismissed after she pleaded not guilty to striking her sister and nephew during a dispute at her home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland.

Solo, who played on Olympic gold medal- winning teams in 2008 and 2012, said in a statement to Sports Illustrated she was “saddened” by the ban.

Following the US’s exit from the Rio Games, Solo told the magazine she was proud of her teammates for coming back from a goal down to draw 1- 1 but was highly critical of Sweden’s tactics.

“I’m very proud of this team,” she said.

“But I also think we played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today,” said Solo, who later confirmed in a Tweet she had made the comments after the match in Brasilia.

“Sweden dropped off. They did not want open play. They didn’t want to pass the ball. They didn’t want to play great soccer.”

As a result of her suspension, Solo will not be eligible for selection to the US national team until February next year.