Beyond the entertainment and media industries, accusations of sexual harassment and assault extend to the world of sports. In an interview with a Portuguese daily newspaper espressoHope Solo, US national soccer team goalkeeper, accused Sepp Blatter of sexual assault on Saturday. According to her, the former FIFA president was “pinching her buttocks” during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in January 2013. The events took place before the young woman went on stage, as she put it. Player of the Year award alongside Sepp Blatter.
According to information from the British newspaper WatchmanThe former FIFA president's spokesman, who was contacted after Hope Solo's accusations, denied the facts. He added: “This claim is ridiculous.” In the Portuguese newspaper's columns, the American soccer player also claims that sexual harassment is “common” in the world of sports, and regrets that such behavior has “become the norm.”
“I was completely shaken”
Contacted by Watchman, Hope Solo returned in more detail to the events of the 2013 Ballon d'Or evening, recalling that she had to quickly come to her senses so that she could focus on her award speech. “I was in shock, completely shaken,” she said. “I had to give it to my teammate [Abby Wambach, lauréate du Ballon d’or 2013, NDLR] She added: “The biggest reward in her career, and I celebrate this moment with her, so I devoted all my attention to her.”
Last month, Hope Solo expressed her support for women victims of sexual assault who accused producer Harvey Weinstein. On our Instagram account, you can also post with the hashtag #MoiAussi: “Remember what is happening today, I will respond to all of these inconvenient situations in my house and my companions who have video pendants in the year with entrepreneurs, doctors, and club personnel.. ” In the newspaper espresso, the footballer expresses her desire to see more women speaking out in the world of sports to denounce reprehensible behaviour. The American also explained the reasons for her silence so far. “I face people directly when this kind of thing happens. In Sepp Blatter's case, I got on stage, I was nervous, I was presenting the Ballon d'Or. After that [la cérémonie] “I didn’t see him and I couldn’t face him,” the athlete said.
