According to a report by New York Post on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the United States has filed charges against a female football player who was part of Samoa’s qualification campaign for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to claims involving a youngster who is fourteen years old.

Oteta Kristina Kitiona, 20, is currently facing a number of criminal allegations. In 2024, when she was 19 years old, she was charged by Utah authorities of having sexual relations with a minor for an extended period of time.

The claimed incidents occurred in Bluffdale, Utah, between June and October 2024, according to court records published by US media. The footballer allegedly made multiple visits to the boy’s house throughout that time, according to investigators.

The kid allegedly informed authorities that Kitiona visited his house many times a week and that the purported romance lasted for months, ending only when she took a break to attend college.

According to court records, the alleged communication came to a halt when Kitiona departed for Washington state to attend Bellevue College, but it picked back up again when she came back home about a month later.

During the time frame under scrutiny, authorities also claim that sexual photos and films were exchanged. Kitiona allegedly urged the teen to provide photos of himself and emailed him explicit material, according to the prosecution.

In Utah, the age of consent is set at 18.

Kitiona faces three counts of engaging in illicit sexual behaviour with a juvenile while being under the age of 21, in addition to charges of sharing material that is considered harmful to minors.

The accused athlete was a representative of Samoa in their failed qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year, which is why the matter has garnered a lot of attention.

The charges have not resulted in Kitiona’s arrest. The authorities, on the other hand, served her with a summons to appear in court on June 6 for a hearing.

Bluffdale police have not made any further statements about the inquiry public.

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