Former US women's goalkeeper Hope Solo has told a Portuguese newspaper that ex‑Fifa President Sepp Blatter sexually assaulted her at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in 2013.

Solo says Blatter grabbed her bottom shortly before the two appeared on stage 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 the AP, but the embattled former head of football's governing body told the Guardian newspaper that this allegation is ridiculous.

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.

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.