The women's World Cup champion said the harassment of Sepp Blatter took place just before she went on stage to present an award at the 2013 Football Hall of Fame.

"I was seized by Sepp Blatter," Solo told Portugal's Express. "I was too nervous about the introduction because it was the Golden Globes, and then I did not have the chance to meet him. To say never to touch people, this is how I deal with these types of harassment, "said the 36-year-old goalkeeper explaining why he is now speaking.

Blatter is 81 years old and is being banned from football after resigning due to corruption scandal at FIFA. His spokesman told BBC Sport that "the allegations are unfounded."

Hope Solo is a member of the US team who won the gold medal in 2008 and 2012. She also helped the US to win the 2015 World Cup and run in 2011.

Mr Blatter led the FIFA for 17 years in a row until the scandal exploded in 2015. Former Swiss officials have been banned from football for eight years and then reduced to six years.

General (TTVN)