Hope Solo admits she immediately apologised to Lotta Schelin after calling Sweden ‘a bunch

The United States’ Hope Solo revealed that she immediately apologised for calling Sweden ‘a bunch of cowards’ at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer, as she attempted to explain what transpired in the aftermath of the quarter-final tie.

Iconic goalkeeper Solo, 35, received a six-month suspension from US Soccer for her comments directed at her Scandanavian opposition after the US’ shock exit in Brazil.

The controversial star – who has won 202 caps for her country since her international debut in 2000 –  sparked outrage when she slammed Sweden for their defensive approach which helped eliminate the Americans following a penalty shoot-out.

Hope Solo has spoken on Swedish talk show Skavlan about her behaviour at Rio 2016

Solo revealed that she immediately apologised for calling Sweden a ‘bunch of cowards’ 

USA’s governing body banned Solo after the incident due to ‘conduct that is counter to the organisation’s principles’ but the veteran stopper has now tried to clarify her actions, and suggest that Sweden were not offended by her comments, not least captain Lotta Schelin.

‘I wasn’t enraged, I wasn’t emotional, I wasn’t angry,’ Solo said on Swedish talk show Skavlan. ‘I just had this conversation with all of the journalists in the room after the game, and we were talking about the style of play.

‘I didn’t mean to come across that the players were cowards or the coach was a coward. I meant that the style of play was not very Olympic-spirited.

‘I think Lotta Schelin – No 8, the captain for Sweden, of course – is one of the best players in the world – one of the best attacking players in the world. So it was really difficult to watch her drop back defensively, and I saw her most of the time in the 18-yard box in her defence.

Solo has suggested that Sweden were not offended by her comments, not least Lotta Schelin

United States goalkeeper Solo kicks the ball up-field in the quarter-final of Rio 2016

‘And I wanted her to attack me, I wanted to play against Lotta. I wanted to try to stop her shots. I love the competitive nature between America and Sweden.’

Solo added: ‘I said to her, “You know, Lotta, I said something. I used the word cowards when talking about you guys, and I didn’t mean that. I’m so sorry”. And she was like, “Oh, I know you, don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about it.”

‘And she’s like, “Look, the American team has been in the last five championship games in the Olympics.” Five championships! And she’s like, “For us to beat a better-skilled team like Brazil and like America, we had to drop back defensively.”

‘And she knew it, but for the most part, we just hugged and we laughed and she accepted my apology. She didn’t even think I needed to apologise.’   

Sweden’s Lotta Schelin (left) challenges Meghan Klingenberg in Brasilia on August 12