Champions League draw: PSG's fate awaits as Spanish supremo Rubiales remains absent

European football's aristocracy gathered in Monaco for the Champions League draw, overshadowed by the scandal involving Luis Rubiales.

The elite of European football gathered in Monaco on Thursday for the highly anticipated Champions League draw and annual awards gala. However, the scandal surrounding Luis Rubiales, the chief of the Spanish federation, continued to overshadow the victory of Spain's women's team in the World Cup final.

Rubiales, who is also a vice president of Uefa, the governing body of European football, would typically attend this prestigious event to oversee the grouping of the 32 teams into eight groups and to acknowledge outstanding performances. However, Fifa, the global governing body of football, has suspended him for a minimum of 90 days while they investigate his controversial kiss with Spain player Jenni Hermoso, which occurred after Spain's victory over England in the World Cup final on August 20.

Rubiales had been expected to resign following widespread criticism in Spain and internationally. However, he has chosen to stand his ground and claims to be the victim of what he perceives as false feminism.

Uefa has officially maintained a silence on the matter, despite Rubiales earning an annual salary of 250,000 euros for his role as vice president.

In an interview with the French sports newspaper L'Equipe on Wednesday, Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin expressed his intention to discuss protocols during award ceremonies with Laura McAllister, the deputy chairperson of the women's football committee.

"We need to do more," Ceferin acknowledged. "It is deeply regrettable that this incident is tarnishing the triumph of the Spanish team."

Uefa officials will undoubtedly strive to present a glamorous and business-as-usual atmosphere at the convention center by the beach during the draw for European football's most prestigious club competition.

Jorge Vilda, the coach who guided Spain to their World Cup victory, is among the contenders for the coaching award in women's soccer, alongside England manager Sarina Wiegman.

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