- Champions League Draw Overshadowed by Luis Rubiales Scandal
- Fifa Suspends Spanish Football Federation President Amid Controversy
- Uefa Takes Ambiguous Stance on Vice-President Rubiales Amid Outcry
Wednesday night, Uefa struggled to maintain the attention of the football world on one of its most important events, the Champions League draw, as the scandal surrounding vice-president Luis Rubiales continued unabated.
European football royalty will gather in Monte Carlo for an event that traditionally sets the stage for the new season, including the draw and an awards ceremony for the previous season’s finest players and coaches. However, the controversy surrounding Rubiales has eclipsed any intrigue over group-stage pairings.
Fifa has already suspended the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) from football activity for 90 days, pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup victory over England on 20 August. Rubiales asserts that the contact was voluntary, whereas Hermoso asserts that it was not.
Rubiales is one of five vice presidents who report to Aleksandr Ceferin, the president of Uefa. However, Uefa’s position on one of its most senior characters, Rubiales, has been obscure. Ceferin stated this posture in an interview with the French sports newspaper L’Équipe on Wednesday. The European governing body has been eager to defer to its global counterpart, Fifa, in this matter.
Ceferin stated, “His actions were inappropriate. Everyone knows it. I hope he realizes how inappropriate it was. This is sufficient for the time being; the decision will be made by independent disciplinary bodies.”
Ceferin responded when asked if Uefa should take action: “He is suspended from all of his functions, everywhere.
There is no need to repeat that.” The incident in question occurred during a tournament over which FIFA has disciplinary authority.
The mother of Rubiales was transported to the hospital on Wednesday, according to the parish priest of the church where Ngeles Béjar has been on a hunger strike to protest what she views as her son’s unjust treatment. “It’s because of the heat and everything else,” the cleric explained to reporters. “Her feet were puffy and she was exhausted. She was also tense.” Also affirmed by the priest was that Rubiales’ mother would not be returning to the church.
Béjar entered the church of the Holy Shepherdess in the Andalusian city of Motril on Monday, announcing she had decided to stop eating to protest what she deemed the “unwarranted, inhumane, and bloodthirsty hunt” of her son.
Rubiales, who has declined to resign from his position as president of the RFEF despite widespread condemnation and a notable lack of domestic support, will not be present in Monte Carlo due to his ban, but he still holds his Uefa position.
Among the prospective award winners at the ceremony is the Spain women’s manager, Jorge Vilda, who was supported by Rubiales after 15 of his players signed a letter stating that they no longer wanted to play for him. He is a finalist for the award for Women’s instructor of the Year.
Three of these athletes participated in the World Cup, while the others did not. Voting for the women’s honors occurred last week, and Sarina Wiegman of England was also in contention.
Irene Montero, the interim equality minister in Spain, has joined the chorus of voices arguing that the Rubiales affair must be used to expedite the eradication of sexism throughout society. “Spain is a feminist society in which sexism still exists, but it is determined to end sexism,” she explained. “We are conveying the world the correct message that sexism is over.
“I believe it has become clear that feminism is also a male responsibility,” she said. “Perhaps it would have been preferable if this silence covenant had been broken with greater force and aggression. But I believe it has begun to fracture, which is a significant development.”
