Hope Solo Suspended From U.S. Women’s Soccer Team
Hope Solo was suspended for 30 days from the U.S. women’s soccer team for a “poor decision,” according to a press release from the official U.S. Women’s National Team website.
The U.S. Women’s National Team, part of the U.S. Soccer Federation, issued a press release on January 21 announcing Solo’s suspension.
“The suspension stems from an incident that occurred during the current WNT training camp being held in Carson, California.
“As a result of the suspension, Solo has been released from training camp and will miss the USA’s matches in Europe on Feb. 8 in France and Feb. 13 in England.”
The press release added that, “Solo will be eligible for reinstatement to the team after the 30-day suspension, pending review and approval by U.S. Soccer and [head coach Jill] Ellis.”
My official statement on US Soccer’s decision today. pic.twitter.com/WedGFPoADK
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) January 22, 2015
And while the press release wasn’t forthcoming with specific details on why the WNT chose to suspend Solo, celebrity gossip site TMZ claims it was because of how Solo acted when her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, was arrested for DUI.
“TMZ Sports broke the story… Solo and ex-NFL player Jerramy Stevens were ‘acting belligerent’ when Stevens was stopped by cops in Manhattan Beach, CA early Monday morning… with law enforcement sources telling us both Stevens and Solo were ‘a major pain.'”
The New York Times claimed the WNT found out about the arrest and Solo’s alleged behavior by way of TMZ.
“U.S. Soccer officials, including Coach Jill Ellis, learned of the incident through the TMZ report Tuesday afternoon. They met with Solo, who has been with the national team in Carson, Calif., for a three-week camp that began Jan. 5, and she gave her version of the events, according to a source with knowledge of the meeting.”
Solo issued an apology for her behavior and suspension through her Facebook page.
“I accept and respect the Federation’s decision, and more importantly, I apologize for disappointing my teammates, coaches and the Federation who have always supported me. I think it’s best for me to take a break, decompress from the stress of the last several months, and come back mentally and physically ready to positively contribute to the team.”
The New York Times noted that Solo’s suspension is not directly related to her previously being charged with assault–a charge that recently was dropped. Nevertheless, that charge may have been an indirect factor in her suspension.
“U.S. Soccer was criticized for not suspending Solo after her arrest last summer, a decision that allowed her to play for the Americans in the regional qualifying tournament that clinched their berth in this summer’s Women’s World Cup. At the time, U.S. Soccer officials emphasized that the facts in the assault case were disputed by Solo, whose lawyer had long contended that she was a victim in the altercation, not the aggressor.”
The Inquisitr previously reported on Solo being charged with assault and her subsequent fight to have them dismissed.
[Image via official Hope Solo Twitter account]
