Hope Solo’s uninterrupted appearance on the women’s U.S. National Team roster has sparked heated debate in light of the scrutiny on the NFL’s handling of domestic violence issues and the subsequent suspensions they've doled out. Solo, however, has remained an active player in women's soccer despite the backlash.

Hope Solo To Keep Playing Amid Legal Issues

In light of the focus on Solo and U.S. Soccer, the organization released a statement, stating, in no uncertain terms, that Solo’s spot on the team is safe for now.

“U.S. Soccer takes the issue of domestic violence very seriously," U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement. "From the beginning, we considered the information available and have taken a deliberate and thoughtful approach regarding Hope Solo's status with the National Team. Based on that information, U.S. Soccer stands by our decision to allow her to participate with the team as the legal process unfolds. If new information becomes available we will carefully consider it."

Scott Blackmun, the U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive officer, like Gulati, acknowledged the seriousness of domestic violence issues. Blackmun also expressed his confidence that U.S. Soccer would appropriately handle the situation. “Abuse in all forms is unacceptable,” Blackmun said in a statement to USA Today. “The allegations involving Ms. Solo are disturbing and are inconsistent with our expectations of Olympians. We have had discussions with U.S. Soccer and fully expect them to take action if it is determined that the allegations are true."

Solo was arrested back in June for allegedly assaulting her 17-year-old nephew and half-sister in an alcohol-fueled dispute at a house party in Des Moines, Wash. When police arrived at the scene after responding to a call that stated a woman was “going crazy and hitting people,” they found both the nephew and half-sister with visible injuries and Solo appearing unscathed. Solo allegedly "repeatedly punched [her nephew] in the face and tackled him,” reported the Seattle Post Intelligencer, and when her sister became involved, she hit her “several times.”

Solo, who has pleaded not guilty, has her trial date set for Nov. 4. The date neither conflicts with her Seattle Reign commitments, nor with her national team commitments, including the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the 2015 World Cup in Canada.

Leave a comment

Read more about: