Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí used her acceptance speech at a UEFA awards ceremony on Thursday to voice help for her teammate who was forcibly kissed by the nation’s soccer federation president after the Women’s World Cup last.
Bonmatí was named women’s player of the 12 months on the annual gala held amid a crisis for European soccer’s governing body caused by the behavior of its vice president Luis Rubiales on the Women’s World Cup last.
Rubiales has refused to resign as Spanish soccer federation president regardless of a furor over his habits towards Jenni Hermoso on the trophy presentation after Spain’s victory over England in Sydney, Australia.
“As a society, we cannot allow the abuse of power in a working environment or disrespect,” Bonmatí mentioned on stage as UEFA leaders watched within the conference corridor in high-end Monte Carlo. “To all women who are suffering the same thing as Jenni, we’re with you.”
Rubiales couldn’t attend the occasion as a result of he was suspended Saturday by FIFA, two days after the world governing physique opened a disciplinary case towards him. UEFA has not taken any motion towards Rubiales, who will get paid $270,000 for his function as a vp.
“Spanish soccer is going through bad moments right now,” Bonmatí mentioned. “We won the World Cup, but we’re not talking a lot about that because of some things I rather not ignore.”
The concern was additionally raised on stage by the winner of the teaching award in women’s soccer, Sarina Wiegman.
Wiegman praised the Spanish gamers who beat her England staff 1-0 within the last for enjoying “such great football that everyone enjoyed.”
“This team deserves to be celebrated and deserves to be listened to,” Wiegman mentioned towards the tip of her acceptance speech, minutes earlier than Bonmatí went on stage.
“We all know the issues around the Spanish team,” the Dutch coach mentioned. “It really hurts me as a coach, a mother of two daughters, as a wife and human being.”
Praising the progress made within the recreation, Wiegman additionally cautioned: “There is also still a long way to go in women’s football and in society.”
Wiegman gained the vote for best coach in women’s soccer forward of two Spanish males — the controversial Spain nationwide staff coach Jorge Vilda and Jonatan Giráldez of Barcelona, who led a staff together with Bonmatí to win the Women’s Champions League.
Bonmatí was amongst 15 gamers who rebelled towards Vilda’s teaching fashion and refused to play for him. She was amongst solely three gamers who returned and had been chosen for the World Cup.
Dozens of Spanish gamers, together with Olga Carmona, who additionally was nominated for the UEFA award, at the moment are refusing to play for the nationwide staff whereas Rubiales continues to guide the federation.
UEFA’s prime officers had been silent on Rubiales for 10 days till its president Aleksander Ceferin referred to as his conduct “inappropriate” in an interview Wednesday with French each day L’Equipe.
After the ceremony Thursday, UEFA’s head of women’s soccer Nadine Kessler mentioned the award winners had been “gracious and very respectful” of their speeches.
“They stand for more than just their perfect performances,” Kessler informed The Associated Press.
The males’s awards had been swept by Manchester City, which gained the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup final season.
Erling Haaland gained the player award forward of teammate Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi.
Pep Guardiola gained the teaching award forward of Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to the Italian league title and now coaches the Italian men’s national team.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Spain
FIFA WORLD CUP WOMEN trending
Get extra from FIFA Women’s World Cup Follow your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
Source link
