Reflections on Spain’s Women’s World Cup Journey and the Aftermath

From July to August of last year, I found myself immersed in the vibrant landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, where I had the privilege of covering Spain’s historic Women’s World Cup victory. However, this triumph was soon overshadowed by a scandal involving Luis Rubiales, the now-disgraced president of the Spanish football federation, who infamously kissed striker Jenni Hermoso without her consent.

The entire experience was surreal, as I transitioned from the excitement of the tournament to my home in Barcelona. A newly released Netflix documentary titled #SeAcabó: Diario de las campeonas (It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football) brought back vivid memories of the calm before the storm at La Roja’s base in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and the rising frustration that followed.

It’s essential to remember the tumultuous backdrop against which Spain prepared for the World Cup. When the squad was announced, it notably excluded some of the most talented players in the game. Fifteen internationals had made themselves unavailable for selection due to mental health concerns, a move that only changed after the federation (RFEF) committed to reforming its treatment of women’s football. Some players returned to the national team after a nine-month hiatus, which added to the complexity of the situation.

Internal divisions were rampant—between ‘Las 15’, the players who had sent emails declaring their ineligibility, and those who opted to participate. The split also included those who chose to attend the tournament despite their concerns and those who stood firm in their absence. One might assume such a fragmented environment would hinder success, yet, paradoxically, it fueled an unprecedented achievement. Spain made history by winning their first knockout game in a major competition, ultimately claiming the title after defeating England 1-0 in the final.

However, the victory was merely the beginning of the chaos. Following the match, coach Jorge Vilda pointed to Rubiales in the stands, who responded by grabbing his crotch and pointing back, as if to claim sole ownership of the team’s success. This was a blatant disregard for the exceptional talent of the players, further emphasizing the skepticism they faced from those in power.

Then came the incident that would ignite widespread outrage: Rubiales’ unsolicited kiss on Hermoso. His subsequent non-apology and the pressure exerted on Hermoso to downplay the incident in a proposed video with him only added to the scandal. Rubiales infamously blamed “false feminism” for the criticism leveled against him, defiantly repeating, “I’m not going to resign” five times in a speech that left many stunned.

Ultimately, Rubiales resigned 21 days after the final, following a provisional sanction from FIFA, which later banned him from football for three years. The legal proceedings regarding the kiss continue, with Spanish prosecutors pursuing a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence against him, which includes a one-year sentence for alleged sexual assault and an additional one-and-a-half years for alleged coercion. The trial is set to commence on February 3 next year.

Throughout the ordeal, Rubiales has maintained that Hermoso consented to the kiss, a claim she vehemently denies, stating that attempts were made to coerce her into claiming otherwise. Various Spanish media outlets reported that Rubiales denied coercing Hermoso during his testimony before a judge in September last year, with his trial scheduled for February.

The documentary places a significant focus on key players, including Alexia Putellas, Jenni Hermoso, and Irene Paredes. Other notable players such as Aitana Bonmati, Laia Codina, Teresa Abelleira, Ivana Andres, Sandra Panos, Olga Carmona, and Lola Gallardo also share their experiences.

The narrative unfolds chronologically, beginning with the moment those 15 emails were sent, illustrating how even after the 2022 European Championship in England, this talented generation felt underutilized and unsupported by Vilda. Reports indicate that Vilda requested players to leave their hotel room doors open until midnight and even searched their bags to ensure they had not purchased anything. The players expressed frustration over what they perceived as a lack of professionalism in training.

In a press conference in September 2022, after excluding the 15 players from his squad, Vilda challenged anyone to claim there had been a lack of respect or professionalism in his dealings with them throughout his career. The documentary reveals that Paredes attempted to communicate the players’ grievances to Vilda and Rubiales in August 2022, only for the entire conversation to be leaked shortly after.

Paredes recalled feeling betrayed, saying, “I was shocked because that conversation was only between me and him (Rubiales). He went after us.” Media narratives often portrayed Paredes as the instigator of a rebellion against Vilda. She, along with Guijarro and Hermoso, held a press conference with Vilda on September 1, where they clarified that they merely sought basic improvements in their treatment.

“Between games, we were travelling five hours by bus,” Paredes recounted. “We didn’t have our own dressing room. We were unable to access the gym, which belonged to the boys, even when they were absent. It was a lot of things.”

The documentary captures another national team training camp in September 2022, during which Vilda gathered the players after lunch for a meeting, encouraging them to voice their concerns. The Barcelona contingent emerged as the most vocal, and this meeting marked the beginning of a rift among the players. Following the World Cup final, Vilda’s behavior drew further scrutiny.

Players who later declared themselves ineligible, like Bonmati, felt that they had collectively expressed their concerns, only to be disappointed by others who remained silent or contradicted them during the meeting. “We were asked if we wanted to continue defending that shirt,” Abelleira recalled. “You were in front of someone who was going to decide whether to call you up or not based on what we said.”

“In that meeting, I felt compelled to speak up,” Ivana Andres, who captained Spain at the World Cup, shared. “However, there were very radical positions being taken, and I thought the price was too high—I didn’t want to miss out on the World Cup.”

“I had a different perspective than my teammates because I had been with the national team for a shorter time,” Carmona added. “I regret that they couldn’t voice their feelings because we all shared the same opinion,” Bonmati remarked. “I understood that meeting was exploited to create further division among us,” Paredes expressed.

This documentary marks the first time players have publicly acknowledged the divisions within their ranks. It showcases the temporary bridges built between the players and the RFEF, which ultimately provided them with the minimum assurances necessary to participate in the World Cup.

Moreover, it highlights how Panos was excluded by Vilda, despite being the starting goalkeeper for the reigning Spanish and European champions, Barcelona. Panos shared that she sent a message to Vilda requesting to be recalled for the World Cup but received no response. Vilda later claimed in a press conference that her omission was purely for sporting reasons.

What resonated most with me—and what makes this documentary particularly significant—is its portrayal of the aftermath of Rubiales’ kiss on Hermoso. In a moment of pure elation, as she received her winner’s medal, Hermoso found her joy tainted forever by Rubiales’ inappropriate gesture.

Initially, Hermoso felt conflicted. While elated by the win, she sensed something was amiss. Putellas and Paredes recalled how Hermoso sought validation from them, unsure whether the kiss was acceptable. Known for her jovial personality, Hermoso’s revelation came as a shock to Putellas, who initially thought she was joking about the incident.

As the celebrations continued, Hermoso chose to suppress her feelings, not wanting to dampen the festive atmosphere following their monumental victory. However, during a live broadcast, some players began to address the situation. “Who kissed?,” goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez asked during the post-match celebrations captured on social media. “Eh, but I didn’t like it,” Hermoso replied, still caught up in the joy of the moment but making her discomfort clear.

Later, as Rubiales entered the dressing room amid the celebrations, he made light-hearted jokes, announcing a paid trip to Ibiza for the team and suggesting a wedding with Hermoso. The players initially took these comments as jokes, but discomfort grew as Rubiales attempted to recreate a bridal moment with Hermoso, who visibly recoiled.

Paredes was the first to pull the team back to reality, saying, “Girls, this is serious.” Hermoso’s emotional journey was captured throughout the documentary. A pivotal moment occurred during their vacation in Ibiza, where Hermoso felt overwhelmed by pressure from the RFEF to publicly downplay the incident.

As Hermoso, Bonmati, and Andres recounted, Rubiales attempted to record a video with her on the plane home to assure everyone that everything was fine. Bonmati revealed that they were even approached to appear on television to quell tensions, but they collectively refused.

Codina recounted a conversation with Rubiales, where he mentioned a woman who advised him that the kiss was inconsequential and encouraged Hermoso to go along with the narrative. The pressure mounted, with Hermoso receiving messages from then-national team director Albert Luque, urging her to support Rubiales and downplay the situation. These messages, as shown in the documentary, included ones sent to her close friends when she stopped responding to his texts.

Prosecutors are now pursuing a one-and-a-half-year sentence for Luque for alleged coercion, while he has denied any wrongdoing. Hermoso’s ordeal continued as she navigated the fallout, feeling unsafe and harassed, even as her friends attempted to support her.

Ultimately, the documentary highlights a broader issue that resonates beyond football. Many women can see themselves in Hermoso’s experiences, recognizing the common patterns of harassment and coercion in professional environments. What she endured, from receiving her medal to filing a complaint, embodies the struggles many women face when confronting inappropriate behavior from superiors.

However, it also serves as a testament to the power of friendship and solidarity, as depicted by Putellas and Paredes, who stood by Hermoso’s side, encouraging her to reclaim her narrative and declare, “It’s over — se acabó.”

(Top photo: Putellas, Hermoso, and Paredes lift the World Cup; Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)