US women's goalkeeping stalwart Hope Solo has told a Portuguese newspaper that former FIFA president Sepp Blatter sexually assaulted her at the 2013 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.
In an interview published on Friday in the Expresso newspaper, Solo said Blatter grabbed her rear end shortly before the two appeared onstage at the annual football awards event.
A representative for Solo confirmed to the Associated Press that the report was accurate and said the former goalkeeper for the US women's national team had no further comment on the matter.
Blatter could not immediately be reached for comment by AP, but the embattled former head of football's governing body told the Guardian newspaper: "This allegation is ridiculous."
Solo has been dogged by a number of off-the-field controversies, notably a domestic violence case stemming from a 2014 altercation at a family member's home in Washington state.
Solo anchored the US team in goal during its 2015 Women's World Cup championship run, allowing just three goals in seven games with five shutouts during the tournament.
In her career, Solo has made 202 total appearances with the national team, with 153 wins and an international-record 102 shutouts.
Solo's tenure with the national team ended following last year's Olympics in Brazil, when the Americans were ousted by Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Afterward, Solo called the Swedish team "cowards" for their defensive style of play.
She was suspended from the team shortly thereafter and has not returned.
Blatter was suspended from office and banned from football for six years following allegations of a widespread corruption scandal that came to light in 2015.
Both US and Swiss officials cooperated in the investigation, which is ongoing, and more than 40 people have been indicted.
AP