The Athletic's Matt Slater was a fly on the wall as UEFA raised the curtain on another season of European competition...
star Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the women’s Player of the Year prize, seized her chance. She said Rubiales had ruined Spain’s moment with his “disrespectful” behaviour and “abuse of power” and that she wanted her team-mate Jenni Hermoso, the recipient of Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss, to know “we are with you”.The co-presenters of the show, Reshmin Chowdhury and Pedro Pinto, only found out what she was going to say while the rest of us watched men’s winner’s highlight reel.
For reasons that remain unclear, someone booked a very convincing Michael Jackson impersonator, and his loud backing group, to do a 30-minute medley of the King of Pop’s greatest hits. Like Rubiales, some thought the booking was “inappropriate”, while others shrugged and said “only in Monaco”. He did not weigh into the Jackson debate but he did say he was now a free agent and looking for a club. A football club.Do you know what was not talked about much, though? The prospect of Saudi Arabian clubs one day coming along to a UEFA draw.did not speak to a single UEFA delegate or club official who thought it would happen. And most of them used less diplomatic language than that.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spectre of machismo lingers in Spain amid fury over 'kiss row' football chief RubialesMore protests are planned as figures reveal 18 women in Spain were killed by their partners since June, the deadliest summer for 20 years
Read more »
What's next for Rubiales, his allies, and those who applauded him last week?One week on from Luis Rubiales' incendiary speech at Spanish Football Federation HQ, what does the future hold for him and his allies?
Read more »
Spain men's boss will not resign after applauding RubialesThe head coach of Spain's men's team asks for 'forgiveness' after applauding the speech in which Luis Rubiales said he would not resign for kissing player Jenni Hermoso.
Read more »
- Spain boss Luis de la Fuente asks for forgiveness after applauding Luis Rubiales' explosive speechLuis de la Fuente claimed that it was an 'inexcusable human error' and has sought 'forgiveness' for applauding Luis Rubiales' explosive speech.
Read more »
Spain manager defends applauding Rubiales' speech: 'I couldn't control my emotions'Luis de la Fuente says he will not resign as Spain coach despite his standing ovation for Luis Rubiales' incendiary speech last week
Read more »