Spain’s Bonmatí wins UEFA best women’s player award and stands up for teammate amid Rubiales crisis

By GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer

MONACO (AP) — Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí has used her acceptance speech at a UEFA awards ceremony to voice support for her teammate who was forcibly kissed after the Women’s World Cup final by the country’s soccer federation president. Bonmatí was named women’s player of the year at the annual gala held amid a crisis for European soccer’s governing body caused by the behavior of its vice president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales has refused to resign as Spanish soccer federation president despite a furor over his behavior toward Jenni Hermoso at the trophy presentation in Australia. Bonmatí says “we cannot allow the abuse of power in a working environment or disrespect.”