UEFA hosts women football stars for expert advice, but thanks ousted Luis Rubiales for his service
The HinduOne day after Spanish official Luis Rubiales finally resigned from his leadership jobs, European football body UEFA hosted a storied group of women players and coaches for a conference on Monday to help shape a brighter future for their game. And when it was over, UEFA thanked its now-former vice president “for his many years of service” in its first major statement since Rubiales’ conduct at the Women’s World Cup final three weeks ago that is now under criminal investigation in Spain. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin then told French sports daily L’Equipe the conduct was “inappropriate.” In the statement Monday noting Rubiales’ resignation, after Ceferin had lunched with the women delegates, there was praise but not words of solidarity toward the Spanish players or women’s football in general. “UEFA acknowledges the public discourse surrounding Mr. Rubiales and his recent actions but would also like to thank him for his many years of service to European football,” it said. “How you use a bad situation, bad actions, to change something for good?” “We have the opportunity here,” said Boquete, whose 38 goals for Spain is second on its all-time women’s list behind Hermoso.