In an interview with Portuguese paper Expresso, former USWNT keeper Hope Solo says she was sexually harassed by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter before the two presented an award together at the 2013 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Solo was asked about the general problem of sexual harassment in sports when she brought up Blatter:
Do you think we are at a tipping point of change in society towards these issues? Do you believe the Pandora box has been opened? Everyone knew this was going on for years, in fashion, in sports, in business, but no one was talking about it.
I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass.
Sorry?
You know Sepp Blatter?
Of course.
OK. I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass [turns towards her press assistant, Melinda Travis]. Can I talk about that? It was at the Ballon D’or one year [Solo presented the FIFA’s women’s player of the year award in January 2013 and shared the stage with the now disgraced former FIFA president], right before I went on stage... It’s been normalized.
The Guardian reached out to Blatter for comment, who called Solo’s allegation “ridiculous” in a statement released by a spokesman.
[Expresso]