United States goalkeeper Hope Solo has been suspended for six months by the football’s governing body after comments she made following her team’s exit at the Rio Olympics against Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Solo told reporters: “I think we played a bunch of cowards.
“The best team did not win”.
The Swedes set up defensively, taking the match to penalties before eventually progressing.
US Soccer released a statement to explain their decision, which was delivered through President Sunil Gulati.
“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,” he said.
“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 honour those principles, with no exceptions.”
This is not the first time Solo has been in trouble with the governing body, having previously been suspended for 30 days for a number of conduct issues.
The United States only have two matches scheduled remained for 2016, with the 35-year-old able to return to international competition in February next year.
Her suspension will not have an impact on her club, Seattle Reign, with the shot-stopper free to play in the domestic competition during the ban.
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