The following article contains allegations of sexual misconduct that some readers may find distressing.
Former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has categorically denied allegations that he groped two-time Olympic gold medal-winning American goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Solo alleged in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Expresso that Blatter "grabbed [her] ass" just before they walked on stage at the 2013 Ballon d'Or ceremony to present an award to her fellow Team US member Abby Wambach.
"I was in shock and completely thrown off," Solo later explained toThe Guardian. "I had to quickly pull myself together to present my teammate with the biggest award of her career and celebrate with her in that moment, so I completely shifted my focus to Abby."
A representative for Blatter denied her version of events, saying: "This allegation is ridiculous."
Former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has categorically denied allegations that he groped two-time Olympic gold medal-winning American goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Solo alleged in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Expresso that Blatter "grabbed [her] ass" just before they walked on stage at the 2013 Ballon d'Or ceremony to present an award to her fellow Team US member Abby Wambach.
"I was in shock and completely thrown off," Solo later explained toThe Guardian. "I had to quickly pull myself together to present my teammate with the biggest award of her career and celebrate with her in that moment, so I completely shifted my focus to Abby."
A representative for Blatter denied her version of events, saying: "This allegation is ridiculous."
