The England manager lifted the gong as Fifa president Gianni Infantino, 53, said the squad’s success had been “spoiled” following the scandal over Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, 46, kissing forward Jenni Hermoso, 33, on the lips after the final World Cup final.

Wiegman, 53, said the victorious Spain players “deserve to be listened to”, and led the audience in a round of applause for them as she collected her prize in Monaco after the Champions League draw on Thursday (31.08.23) – after winning it for the second year running.

She said: “We all know the issues around the Spanish team," she said.

“It really hurts me as a coach, a mother of two daughters, as a wife and human being. And it shows, the game has grown so much, but there is a long way to go in women’s football and society.

“I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, the team that played such great football that everyone enjoyed.”

Hermoso said the kiss during the presentation ceremony after the World Cup final win over England in Sydney on 20 August was not consensual.

Rubiales was suspended by world football’s governing body Fifa on Saturday but has repeatedly refused to resign.

Infantino later posted a photograph of himself with the world champions on Instagram, writing: “Sadly, the well-deserved celebrations for these magnificent champions were spoiled by what happened after the final whistle.

“Fifa’s disciplinary bodies immediately assumed responsibility and took the necessary actions.

“On our side, we should continue to focus on how further to support women and women's football in future, both on and off the pitch.”

Spanish football federation regional leaders have called on president Rubiales to immediately step down, while Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.

Meanwhile, Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes, 46, told the BBC she is hopeful the situation will prove to be a “huge wake-up moment” in Spain.