Hope Solo apologizes for assault arrest, could play Saturday
Jun 26, 2014, 3:41 PM | Updated: 5:10 pm
Seattle soccer star Hope Solo has apologized for her weekend arrest stemming from her alleged assault of her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew.
Kirkland officers arrested Solo early Saturday morning after responding to a 911 call that a woman was hitting people and refused to stop or leave, the Kirkland Police Department said.
They found Solo intoxicated and upset, saw injuries on her nephew and her sister, and arrested Solo after determining that she was the primary aggressor.
“I would like to apologize to my fans, teammates, coaches, marketing partners and the entire US Soccer and Seattle Reign FC communities for my involvement in a highly unfortunate incident this past weekend,” Solo wrote on her Facebook page. “I understand that, as a public figure, I am held to a higher standard of conduct. I take seriously my responsibilities as a role model and sincerely apologize to everyone I have disappointed.”
“I love my family dearly. We, like all families, have our challenges but my sincere hope is that we are able to resolve this situation as a family. Adversity has always made us stronger and I know this situation will be no different.
I also would like to thank everyone who has reached out with messages of support and encouragement. I truly appreciate your loyalty, concern and well wishes.
Due to pending legal issues, I cannot comment further at this time. However, I am confident in the legal process and believe my name will be cleared.
I look forward to getting back on the field where I belong with both Seattle Reign FC and the US Women’s National Team.”
Solo, 32, has won two Olympic gold medals for the U.S. women’s national team. She also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League.
In a statement, the Seattle Reign said the team has been gathering information since Solo’s arrest and trying to determine the “best path forward.”
“This investigation, which has included multiple conversations with Hope, made it clear that there are differing perspectives on the events that led up to Hope’s arrest. As such, we feel it is fair and prudent to await the outcome of the legal process before making a final judgment about the incident.”
The statement goes on to say the team holds its players, coaches and employees to the “highest ethical and moral standard,” and the consequences of a conviction would be “significant and swift.”
The statement says Solo will practice with the team this week and is eligible to play in Saturday’s home match against Sky Blue FC.
