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Hope Solo suspended for 30 days by US Soccer after husband's DUI arrest

US Women's National Team goalkeeper banned for bad behaviour after husband's arrest

Payton Guion
Thursday 22 January 2015 18:56 GMT
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US Soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo has been suspended from the team for 30 days after an incident with California police.
US Soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo has been suspended from the team for 30 days after an incident with California police.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo has been suspended for 30 days by US Soccer after being combative with police during a stop in which her husband was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Ms Solo and her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stevens, were stopped by police on Monday morning in Manhattan Beach, Calif., when Mr Stevens was spotted driving without the vehicle’s headlights on, according to a report from The New York Times.

UPDATE: TMZ reports that Mr Stevens was driving a van belonging to US Soccer when he was pulled over.

Mr Stevens was arrested during the stop and Ms Solo reportedly argued with police and was “acting belligerently”, according to TMZ.

Upon hearing of their goalkeeper’s involvement in the incident, US Soccer officials sat down with Ms Solo to discuss and later decided to suspend her. After she serves her suspension, she will be eligible for reinstatement to the squad pending approval by team officials.

“During our current National Team camp, Hope made a poor decision that has resulted in a negative impact on U.S. Soccer and her teammates,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis. “We feel at this time it is best for her to step away from the team.”

Ms Solo had been training with the national team in Carson, Calif. since 5 January. She reportedly accepted the suspension and left camp.

“I apologize for disappointing my teammates, coaches and the federation, who have always supported me,” Ms Solo said in a statement. “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 suspension comes about a week after a judge threw out two assault charges stemming from an unrelated case. The latest controversy means that Ms Solo will miss the Women’s National Team's upcoming trip to Europe, where they will play a couple of matches ahead of this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Follow Payton Guion on Twitter @PaytonGuion.

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