Hope Solo Hits Out At US Superstar Megan Rapinoe For Turning Down Equal Pay Opportunity In 2016

Former US women's national team 'keeper Hope Solo has made a bombshell claim against Megan Rapinoe over her signing a "less-than-equal collective bargaining agreement."

Reign captain Rapinoe, 35, has been a vocal champion for the women's US team on the long-running dispute of equal pay with US Soccer.

The US women's team's legal challenge against US Soccer over the team's pay discrimination claim was dismissed by a federal judge last May.

One of the reasons why the judge ruled in favour of US Soccer was due to the USWNT agreeing to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that they attempted to overturn.

Solo, who lifted the Women's World Cup with the USA in 2015, has insisted that Rapinoe led the team into signing a "less-than-equal" CBA.

The 39-year-old American admitted that they "were so close to achieving equal pay in 2016" and it was even "offered to us."

Solo told beIN SPORTS: "Megan led the team into signing a less-than-equal collective bargaining agreement.

"We were so close to achieving equal pay in 2016; it was offered to us, we were about to sign the contract with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC].

"But Megan Rapinoe and the leaders of that team signed a less-than-equal CBA, which is concerning for the overall class-action suit and the overall fight.

"But, trust me, we have history on our side, as well as congressmen and women.

"President Joe Biden is going to fight for equal pay -- we believed in him four years ago and we believe in him now."

Rapinoe has insisted that she isn't thinking about US Soccer when she pulls on the national team shirt, saying she is focused on "equal pay and for the fans and for kids who want to be in my position."

The US superstar has claimed that future stars of the women's national team could benefit from their continued challenge for equal pay in football.

Rapinoe recently appeared at the White House and delivered a powerful speech for an Equal Pay Day event, which was attended by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

Featured Image Credit: PA/beIN SPORTS

Topics: NWSL, Football, National Women's Soccer League, USA, Megan Rapinoe

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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