More changes needed in women’s football, says Sarina Wiegman in wake of Luis Rubiales’ guilty verdict
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Spain’s former football federation head Luis Rubiales (right) was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Jennifer Hermoso without her consent.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PORTIMAO – England women’s football manager Sarina Wiegman said the culture within the sport needs to change after Spain’s former football federation head Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent following the 2023 World Cup final.
On Feb 20, Rubiales was ordered by Spain’s High Court to pay a fine of €10,800 (S$15,100) for kissing Hermoso on the lips in front of a global TV audience
The incident during the awards ceremony in Sydney caused a nationwide furore about sexism in Spain – overshadowing the team’s World Cup success – and sent shockwaves through the women’s game.
“That we have to talk about this again is good because it changes society and I stand with the Spanish players,” Wiegman told ITV on Feb 21, moments after England’s disappointing 1-1 Nations League draw with Portugal in Portimao, where Kika Nazareth’s late goal cancelled out Alessia Russo’s early strike for the Lionesses.
The Dutchwoman, who dedicated her 2023 Uefa Women’s Coach of the Year award to the Spanish women’s team, added: “They have so much courage to do this and it does make change, but more change needs to be made. They are still in it... we are talking about football, but we also have to talk about this.”
The ruling also prevents Rubiales from going within 200 metres of Hermoso and banned him from communicating with her for one year. He will also have to pay Hermoso €3,000 as compensation.
Hermoso told the trial that the kiss “stained one of the happiest days of my life”, with her lawyer saying that the 34-year-old Spanish forward intends to appeal against Rubiales’ verdict.
Separately, the highest court in global sport on Feb 21 dismissed an appeal by Rubiales against his three-year ban from any football-related activity.
World football governing body Fifa had banned Rubiales in October 2023 for three years and the 47-year-old had the option to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, a CAS panel determined that his behaviour at the trophy ceremony “constituted multiple and serious violations of the Fifa disciplinary code”, adding that it saw no reason to consider the sanction to be disproportionate.
England’s next Nations League Group A3 game is against Spain at Wembley Stadium on Feb 26 in a rematch of that 2023 World Cup final.
On Feb 21, Spain kicked off their Nations League title defence by fighting back to snatch a thrilling 3-2 win over Belgium.
In Valencia, Mariam Toloba gave Belgium a surprise early lead against Spain and Tessa Wullaert made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute.
The hosts, who will be among the favourites at Euro 2025 this summer, where they will face Belgium again in the group stage, pulled a goal back through Claudia Pina to spark their comeback.
Lucia Garcia levelled in stoppage time and Benfica’s Cristina Martin-Prieto blasted home with virtually the final touch of the game to complete the job.
Spain were without injured two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas, as well as World Cup star Hermoso, whom coach Montse Tome did not call up.
Belgium coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir was taking charge of her first match at the helm, in which she could not have asked for a tougher challenge.
In Euro 2025 qualifying in 2024, Spain thumped Belgium 7-0 away and 2-0 at home en route to finishing top of their group.
“I’m very happy, the group deserved it. We had to get the three points here,” said Spain’s match-winner Martin-Prieto, who was a late call-up after Amaiur Sarriegi was injured.
In other significant matches, World Cup 2023 semi-finalists Sweden beat neighbours Denmark 2-1 in Group A4, with Linda Sembrant and Fridolina Rolfo’s strikes sandwiching Pernille Harder’s penalty in Odense.
In another neighbourly clash, former European champions Germany and the Netherlands played out a 2-2 draw in Group A1 in Breda, while France beat former world champions Norway 1-0 in Group A2 in Toulouse. REUTERS, AFP
