Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí dedicates award to Jenni Hermoso; Sarina Wiegman speaks out
Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí dedicated her Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) award to teammate Jenni Hermoso, who was forcibly kissed on the lips by Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales following the country's first World Cup victory.
“Spanish soccer is going through bad moments right now,” Bonmatí said on Thursday, while accepting the UEFA women’s player of the year honor in Monaco. “We won the World Cup, but we’re not talking a lot about that because of some things I rather not ignore.”
Rubiales, who is also vice president of the UEFA, has refused to resign after he sparked International backlash with his unsolicited kiss during the World Cup trophy ceremony. Rubiales said the kiss was "mutual and consensual," but Hermoso refuted his claims and said she's "a victim of assault." He was suspended by FIFA for at least 90 days last week, which prevented him from attending the UEFA awards gala.
“As a society, we cannot allow the abuse of power in a working environment or disrespect,” Bonmatí added. “To all women who are suffering the same thing as Jenni, we’re with you.”
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Bonmatí, who was named the best player (Golden Ball) of the World Cup after recording three goals and two assists during the tournament, is one of more than 80 current and former Spanish players refusing to play for the national team until Rubiales is removed. He has defiantly vowed to "fight to the end" and has so far avoided punishment from UEFA or the Spanish soccer federation.
'A long way to go in women’s football'
England women's national team coach Sarina Wiegman, whose team lost to Spain 1-0 in the World Cup final, said the Spanish team "deserves to be celebrated and deserves to be listened to" after Rubiales' controversial and lewd celebrations overshadowed the country's victory.
Wiegman made the statement during her acceptance speech for UEFA Women's Coach of the Year, beating out controversial Spain national team coach Jorge Vilda, who later condemned Rubiales' "improper behavior."
“We all know the issues around the Spanish team,” Wiegman said. “It really hurts me as a coach, a mother of two daughters, as a wife and human being.”
Wiegman and Bonmatí shared an embrace backstage, a moment that was shared on UEFA's social media page. UEFA’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler told The Associated Press that all award winners were “gracious and very respectful” in their acceptance speeches.