England Women’s team manager, Sarina Wiegman slammed the Spanish FA and Luis Rubiales during her speech at a UEFA presentation ceremony on Thursday,  August 31.

Wiegman won the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award after she guided the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022 last summer.

Wiegman said she is ‘hurt’ by the reaction from the Spanish FA, which vehemently backed Rubiales after he kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the celebrations following Spain’s win over England in the Women’s World Cup final earlier this month.

Rubiales, who vowed not to resign and even threatened legal action against Hermoso, is currently suspended by FIFA and Weigman has stressed that the issues that have come after Spain’s victory shows there is ‘still a long way to go in women’s football and in society’.

‘Can I send a message, please?’ Wiegman said to the audience after receiving her award.

‘Also thanks to everyone who’s involved with the Lionesses, of course the team, the incredible team, players and staff and the support from the FA.

‘But it also feels a little different. We all know the issues around the Spanish team, it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife, and as a human being, it shows the game has grown so much but there’s also still a long way to go in women’s football and in society.