According to a report published by the New York Post on Thursday, May 7, 2026, a female footballer who recently represented Samoa during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been charged in the United States over allegations involving a 14-year-old boy.
Oteta Kristina Kitiona, 20, is facing several criminal charges after authorities in Utah accused her of engaging in unlawful sexual activity with the teenager over a period spanning several months in 2024, when she was reportedly 19 years old.
According to court documents referenced by American media outlets, the alleged incidents occurred in Bluffdale between June and October 2024. Investigators alleged that Kitiona frequently visited the boy’s residence during that period.
The teenager reportedly informed investigators that the footballer came to his home multiple times each week and that the alleged relationship continued for several months before she temporarily relocated for college.
Court filings further indicated that the alleged interactions paused after Oteta Kristina Kitiona moved to Washington to study at Bellevue College, but allegedly resumed after she returned home approximately one month later.
Authorities also alleged that explicit images and videos were exchanged during the period under investigation. Prosecutors claimed that Kitiona sent inappropriate material to the teenager and encouraged him to send images of himself in return.
Under the laws of Utah, the legal age of consent is 18.
Oteta Kristina Kitiona has been charged with distributing material considered harmful to a minor, along with three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor while being under the age of 21.
The case has attracted widespread attention because the athlete recently featured in Samoa’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year.
Despite the charges, Kitiona has not been arrested. Instead, authorities issued a summons directing her to appear in court for a hearing scheduled for June 6.
Police authorities in Bluffdale have not yet released additional public information regarding the ongoing investigation.