Netflix Documentary Explores Controversial Kiss and Its Aftermath in Spanish Football

Midfielder Alexia Putellas initially shared the phrase “Se acabo” – which translates to “it’s all over” – on social media, a moment that profoundly altered Spanish football. Both Putellas and Jenni Hermoso are featured in the Netflix documentary titled ‘It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football’. The phrase “se acabo” was widely adopted by Putellas and numerous other individuals following the 2023 World Cup victory of Spain, which was overshadowed by an incident involving Luis Rubiales, the president of the country’s football federation. Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, an act he maintained was consensual, while Hermoso stated it was not. Netflix has now launched a documentary, ‘It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football’, which examines the events leading up to the tournament, the kiss itself, and the subsequent repercussions. BBC Sport highlights the central topics covered in this documentary. The English-translated documentary commences with interviews from several members of Spain’s World Cup-winning team, who discuss the kiss’s effects. Subsequently, the film presents footage of the kiss and the instance where Rubiales clutched his crotch in the presence of Spain’s royal family members, following Spain’s victory over England in the final match. Immediately after the event, Rubiales’s conduct drew scrutiny, yet he promptly dismissed the criticism as “so stupid” in an interview with Spanish media, while denying any misconduct. Defender Irene Paredes commented, “We didn’t realise at the time. In that moment we were happy for the title.” She added, “Little by little, we realised what happened after. The news and the pressure and comments from the media kept increasing and we knew something big had happened.” While a significant event had transpired, for Hermoso, it marked the start of further challenges. The 34-year-old alleges that the Spanish football federation (RFEF) pressured her to declare the kiss consensual, and that her friends and family were also urged to minimize the incident. The RFEF has not yet addressed these allegations. Amanda Gutierrez, president of the players’ union Futpro, recounted, “Before getting on the plane, Jenni told me that she was being pressured to give a statement to protect Rubiales.” Gutierrez quoted Hermoso saying, “No, why would I do that? I won’t sign anything. I don’t want to give any statements. But I am very stressed out because they won’t stop pressurising me.” Arsenal defender Laia Codina further stated, “Jenni was devastated and she was beginning to understand everything that was happening. We knew we were almost home. She looked worried and scared as well.” In the documentary, several players assert that RFEF officials requested them to downplay the kiss upon their return to Spain, while still on the plane from the World Cup. At an emergency meeting of the RFEF, held five days after Spain’s landmark victory, Rubiales adamantly reiterated his refusal to resign. Putellas, who was on vacation during the meeting, expressed her “outrage,” stating, “The lies, the attitude, defending himself, but at the same time he was attacking Jenni.” She added, “Those people knew the truth and they applauded him just to protect themselves.” This event marked a pivotal moment. Later that same day, 81 Spanish players, encompassing all 23 members of the World Cup squad, declared their refusal to play for Spain’s women’s team until Rubiales was dismissed from his role. Putellas articulated, “We wanted a structural change. We needed a change because the system couldn’t remain like that.” Putellas, credited with initiating the ‘se acabo’ movement that garnered support from both her teammates and the broader Spanish public, further commented, “It had exploded and there was no way back.” Nevertheless, Rubiales’s resignation, acknowledging defeat, occurred over two weeks after the players’ statement to the RFEF and a subsequent surge of public condemnation. Since then, Fifa has imposed a three-year ban on the 47-year-old from all football-related activities. Additionally, it was announced earlier this year that he would face trial for sexual assault concerning kissing Hermoso without her consent. Rubiales refutes these charges, claiming to be the target of a “social assassination.” The players’ boycott concluded after an agreement was reached with the RFEF, which issued an apology and pledged to implement “immediate and profound changes.” In the documentary, Hermoso stated, “The fact that all of our team, as well as players from all over the world, were willing to take a stand, that gave me so much strength for everything. I think it gave me a superpower to confront it and keep going.” She concluded, “As a result of this we’ve sent a precedent, and there are so many women who can feel stronger.” BBC Sport sought a response from the RFEF regarding the documentary’s allegations but has not yet received one. Protests supporting Hermoso and opposing Rubiales, under the banner ‘It’s over’, occurred across Spain. The documentary also highlights that Spain’s issues predated the 2023 World Cup, which the team entered as a “broken group” lacking “no sense of unity,” as described by Codina. Jorge Vilda, who managed La Roja during their World Cup victory, was only the second manager of the team since 1988. His predecessor, Ignacio Quereda, served for almost 27 years, resigning solely after his entire squad demanded his removal following their unsatisfactory performance at the 2015 World Cup. Goalkeeper Lola Gallardo asserted, “He treated us as if we were his little girls,” and fellow goalkeeper Sandra Panos mentioned that Quereda occasionally made “vulgar comments.” Vilda, regarded as a close associate of Luis Rubiales, was dismissed from his position 16 days after guiding the team to its World Cup triumph. Challenges also existed during Vilda’s tenure. In September 2022, following a subpar performance at the Women’s Euros, the RFEF issued a statement disclosing that 15 players had sent identical emails, declaring their refusal to play for Vilda unless “significant” issues regarding their “emotional state” and “health” were resolved. These players, known as ‘Las 15’, refuted allegations that they had demanded Vilda’s dismissal, yet tensions persisted due to reported concerns about training methodologies and insufficient game preparation. Putellas asserted, “Jorge was in charge of everything. He wanted to control everything.” Former Spain player Vero Boquete commented, “When you end up in a national team with demanding players, you’re scared of what they’re going to do. He was afraid we would speak out so that’s why he wanted control over us.” Following his termination, Vilda stated that he possessed a “clear conscience” and considered personal criticisms “unfair.” The documentary illustrates the adverse media coverage directed at ‘Las 15’, and Irene Paredes alleged that her communications to Rubiales, which she stated contained appeals for national team enhancements, were disclosed to the press. Spain participated in the tournament amidst internal turmoil, but their departure as world champions was perceived as individual triumphs for both Rubiales and Vilda. Ivana Andres, who served as captain under Vilda, remarked, “After so much work, after so much effort that we put in, they stole that away from us.”