England coach Sarina Wiegman said the crisis surrounding Spanish football in the wake of their World Cup win "really hurts" and shows there is still a "long way to go" in the women's game and society.
Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by FIFA for an initial period of 90 days, pending an investigation into his behaviour at the World Cup final earlier this month when he kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medals presentation.
Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss, and along with her 22 squad mates, has said she will not play for the national team until Rubiales resigns.
Wiegman saw off competition from Spain’s under-fire head coach Jorge Vilda to win UEFA’s Women’s Coach of the Year award and dedicated her prize to Spain’s players.
"We all know the issues around the Spanish team and it really hurts me as a coach, as mother of two daughters, as a wife and as a human being," Wiegman said at the awards ceremony in Monaco, which followed the draw for the group stages of the 2023/24 men's Champions League.
"The game has grown so much, but there’s also still a long way to go in women’s football and in society.
"I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team. This team deserves to be celebrated and deserves to be listened to, and I’m going to give them again a big applause and I hope you will join (me)."
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and manager Pep Guardiola won the awards for the Men's Player and Coach of the Year awards.
Another of Spain’s World Cup winners, Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati, was named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.
She used her acceptance speech to show solidarity with Hermoso, saying: "As a society we should not allow abuse of power in an employment relationship or disrespect. To all the women who suffer the same as Jennifer, we are with you."
"I would like to thank Sarina for her words because this is not a good moment in Spanish football. We have just won the World Cup, but they are talking about other things."
Sources in Spain suggest that the Spanish federation is planning to sack the 42-year-old Vilda after the coach refused a request to quit.
Vilda was among those who most enthusiastically applauded Rubiales' refusal to resign at an RFEF meeting though he subsequently criticised his behaviour in kissing Hermoso.
Vilda's tenure as coach since 2015 was called into question last year when 15 players sent letters to the RFEF saying they would no longer play for Spain with him in charge.
The RFEF made some adjustments to working conditions following their complaints but backed Vilda, who took his squad to the World Cup without most of the mutineers.
The board was now working on the legalities of Vilda's termination and determining a severance package equal to his €160,000 annual salary, the source said.
On Thursday, Pedro Rocha, the RFEF's interim president, said Vilda remained coach for now. "Once we meet with him, we will give you the pertinent information," he told reporters. "We haven't decided. We have to listen and talk."
