01 September 2023 , 13:04
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Barcelona Star Aitana Bonmati has thanked England boss Sarina Wiegman for dedicating her UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award to the Spanish women's national team amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales scandal.
The disgraced Spanish FA (RFEF) president sparked outrage when he kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of Spain's Women's World Cup Final triumph over England. The subsequent fallout has been extraordinary, with the positions of both Rubiales and divisive women's head coach Jorge Vilda looking increasingly untenable.
Rubiales has been suspended by FIFA and Spanish prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether his behaviour amounts to sexual assault. Wiegman, who was named Coach of the Year at a ceremony in Monaco on Thursday, used her acceptance speech to say the Spain team deserved to be listened to.
"We all know the issues around the Spanish team, and it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife and a human being," the Dutchwoman said. “We just talked about 1988 and the game has grown so much, but there’s also a long way to go in women’s football and in society, and I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, the team that played in the World Cup such great football that everyone enjoyed."
And now Bonmati, who was named the best player at the Women's World Cup and also won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award, has taken to social media to show her gratitude to Wiegman. Posting on Twitter, the 25-year-old wrote: "Happy to receive this recognition after also making history with the national team.
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"As I said yesterday, I want to thank and extend this award to my colleagues and value all the work we have been doing for a long time. Thanks again, Sarina, for your kind words."
Bonmati is among the 81 players who have refused to play for the Spain women's national team until Rubiales is removed from his post. The midfielder also used her acceptance speech to hit out at the under-fire president and demand that the "abuse of power" must be stopped.
“As a society, we cannot allow the abuse of power in a working environment or disrespect,” Bonmatí said on stage as UEFA leaders watched on.
“To all women who are suffering the same thing as Jenni, we’re with you. Spanish soccer is going through bad moments right now. We won the World Cup, but we’re not talking a lot about that because of some things I rather not ignore," she further added."