Hope Solo, widely regarded as the best women's goalkeeper in the World, has been suspended for six months by US Soccer, following comments after her side lost to Sweden at the Olympic Games.
The US were last year's World Cup winners and were the favourites to retain their Olympic title, but failed to win a medal in Brazil. Their quarter-final loss on penalties was one of the shocks of the tournament, as Sweden went on to lose to Germany in the Final.
After the loss in Brasilia, Solo claimed; "We played a bunch of cowards. The best team did not win today. I strongly, firmly believe that."
Her comments were widely criticised, with US Soccer President Sunil Gulati calling her words "unacceptable". He added that they "do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players."
Solo has had an outstanding career winning two Olympic gold medals, along with last year's World Cup. After he suspension was confirmed, Solo took to social media, to express her disappointment at the decision.
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