Now football boss Blatter accused
FORMER Fifa president Sepp Blatter last night became embroiled in the sexual harassment scandal after a female player accused him of inappropriate behaviour at an awards ceremony.
The former US women’s team goalkeeper, Hope Solo, said the 81-year-old sexually assaulted her. Miss Solo, 3 , claimed it took place at the Ballon d’Or football awards ceremony in 2013.
In an interview with Portuguese newspaper, Expresso, she claimed: ‘I had Sepp Blatter grab my a**.’
Representatives of the former Fifa president were quick to deny the claim telling newspapers: ‘This allegation is ridiculous.’
Miss Solo appeared alongside Blatter at the ceremony when she presented the women’s world player of the year award to Abby Wambach – one of her teammates in the USA side.
She entered the stage from behind a curtain alongside Blatter and claims the assault took place shortly before.
She said: ‘I had Sepp Blatter grab my a**. It was at the Ballon d’Or, right before I went on stage. [Sexual harass- ment] has been normalised.’ She told the Guardian she had to compose herself after the incident so she could deliver her speech.
Miss Solo said: ‘I had... to present my team-mate with the biggest award of her career and celebrate with her in that moment, so I completely shifted my focus to Abby.’
Miss Solo is the most capped goalkeeper for US national team history, with 202 appearances.
She has also won two Olympic Gold medals and one World Cup with the team.