Uefa chief slammed for warning England Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman her trophy is ‘heavy’
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has been slammed by fans after warning Sarina Wiegman her Coach of the Year trophy was heavy.
The England Women’s boss collected the prize in Monaco after the Champions League draw after winning it for the second year running.
She was welcomed on to stage and awarded her trophy by Ceferin.
But before he handed over the silverware he told Wiegman: “Be careful, it’s heavy.”
Outraged fans flocked to social media to question Ceferin’s comment, with many criticising the Slovenian.
One said: “Absolutely no way the president of Uefa said to Sarina Weigman ‘be careful it’s heavy’ when handing her coach of the year. Honestly mate…after the last two weeks you wanna condescend?”
Another added: “What’s up with men telling women to be careful the trophy they’re about to receive is heavy? Just happened again.”
A third wrote: “Nah no way the Uefa man just told Sarina to be careful because the trophy’s heavy.”
And another commented: “What is the need to say ‘It’s heavy, be careful’ to Sarina as soon as they give her prize? Really which one?!”
Awards host Reshmin Chowdhury later joked about the weight of the trophy given out to Women’s Player of the Year winner Aitana Bonmati, sparking laughter from the audience.
One fan also compared Ceferin’s comments to the treatment Lioness Alessia Russo received in May as she picked up Manchester United Women’s Player of the Year gong.
United Foundation boss John Shiels suggested Russo – who he appeared to call “Alexa” – would be unable to hold the “heavy” trophy.
In a video circulated online, Shiels says: “I’m not going to give this trophy to Alessia because it’s so heavy.
“I’ve just been in a weight-training session.”
Ceferin’s comments also come just weeks after Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales kissed star Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup.
Rubiales has faced calls to quit and has been suspended by Fifa while an investigation takes place.