Canada’s Priestman devastated for World-Cup winning Spain in wake of Rubiales scandal

Canada coach Bev Priestman says she feels “devastated” for Spain’s World Cup-winning group, whose exploits on the pitch have been obscured by the scandal off it involving Luis Rubiales, the now-suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation.

Rubiales kissed Spanish ahead Jenni Hermoso through the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney.

The 46-year-old Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual. Hermoso, a 33-year-old ahead who performs for Mexican membership Pachuca, has denied that in statements issued by her and her gamers union.

Spanish state prosecutors have accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion.

“Spain were an incredible team, an incredible talent,” Priestman stated Friday when requested concerning the scandal at a digital availability.

“And that one moment that not many people in the world get to experience — which is winning the World Cup — to have that overshadowed from the minute it happened to even now, I’m devastated for the players for that reason,” she stated.

“It should be the height of their career,” she added. “But it probably unearths some problems that still are there in the women’s game … I hope it’s going to be the start of some systemic change that needs to happen.”

FIFA suspended Rubiales from his publish on Aug. 27, a day after he refused to step down when he delivered a defiant speech to the final meeting of his federation by which he stated he was sufferer of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.” He was banned from his publish for 90 days whereas FIFA disciplinary judges think about his case.

Soccer’s governing physique can impose sanctions on people starting from warnings and fines to suspensions from the game.