Good morning, The Football Newsletter readers! Today, we’re diving into the story that goes far beyond the football pitch—a story of resilience, empowerment, and the fight for respect within women’s football in Spain. As many of you may recall, last summer’s Women’s World Cup saw Spain triumph on the field, only for the celebrations to be overshadowed by a scandal that sparked a nationwide conversation on gender dynamics in sport. The new Netflix documentary, #SeAcabó: Diario de las campeonas (It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football), revisits these events in detail.

Spain’s Women’s World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand was already under a cloud before a ball was kicked. Leading up to the tournament, “Las 15”—a group of 15 players—had made themselves ineligible, citing mental health concerns and protesting against the treatment of women’s football by the Spanish football federation (RFEF). The resulting squad was a fractured mix: some players returned after months away, while others stayed out in protest. It seemed like the tensions would sabotage Spain’s chances—but instead, they rallied, made history, and ultimately lifted the trophy after a hard-fought final against England.

What should have been a joyful celebration for the Spanish team became tainted when RFEF president Luis Rubiales gave striker Jenni Hermoso an unsolicited kiss during the medal ceremony. In the new documentary, Hermoso and her teammates recount how that moment unfolded, the confusion it caused, and the events that followed.

Rubiales’s actions didn’t stop at the kiss. During the celebration, he made inappropriate jokes in the dressing room and later pressured Hermoso to downplay the incident publicly. Videos and testimonies show Hermoso’s initial shock and discomfort, masked by the adrenaline of the moment. But as reality set in, her distress grew, compounded by Rubiales’s attempts to get her to record a video in his favour.

The documentary takes us back to the lead-up to the World Cup, highlighting the struggles Spain’s players faced within their own federation. Directed by the voices of Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, and other prominent players, it paints a picture of a team that, despite their talent, felt undermined and unsupported.

#SeAcabó follows a chronological journey, starting with the internal conflicts that began in 2022. The players openly discuss their strained relationship with then-coach Jorge Vilda, detailing his restrictive demands—such as making players keep their hotel room doors open and random bag checks. The tension culminated in Las 15’s protests, which they hoped would lead to meaningful changes in how they were treated.

At one point, Paredes describes a conversation with Rubiales that was later leaked to the media, framing her as a troublemaker. The documentary captures how the federation not only disregarded their concerns but also attempted to silence them.

One of the documentary’s most compelling segments centres on the aftermath of Rubiales’s kiss. Hermoso shares her initial confusion, recounting how she sought reassurance from teammates, unsure of whether her discomfort was valid. In the moment, she struggled to articulate the violation of her boundaries, torn between celebrating her team’s historic victory and processing what had happened to her.

In Ibiza, during a post-World Cup break, Hermoso felt further pressure from RFEF officials who asked her to make a public statement in Rubiales’s favour. The documentary reveals messages from then-national team director Albert Luque, urging her to protect Rubiales. Hermoso’s account shows how her triumphant moment was soured by these efforts to silence her.

The strength of #SeAcabó lies not only in exposing the abuse of power but in highlighting the support system that emerged around Hermoso. Her teammates, including Putellas and Paredes, recount their disbelief at the kiss and the subsequent coercion Hermoso faced. When Hermoso broke down and shared her struggle, they rallied behind her, offering support and helping her find her voice to speak out.

Putellas admits to feeling guilt, as she initially brushed off Hermoso’s discomfort, urging her to enjoy the win. But once the severity of the situation became clear, the team rallied around Hermoso, symbolising the strength and solidarity within women’s football.

The Hermoso-Rubiales incident became a tipping point, igniting a movement in Spanish football and beyond. “Se acabó”—meaning “It’s over”—became the rallying cry for those demanding accountability and respect. The players’ resilience, combined with the outpouring of support from fans and advocates, led to Rubiales’s eventual resignation and FIFA’s subsequent three-year ban.

The documentary shows how Hermoso’s journey reflects a broader struggle many women face, especially in male-dominated workplaces. From initial self-doubt to finally speaking out, Hermoso’s experience illustrates the all-too-common pattern of minimising one’s feelings in the face of authority.

As Hermoso and her teammates prepare for Rubiales’s upcoming trial in February, #SeAcabó serves as both a reminder of the power dynamics in sport and a tribute to the women who fought back. Hermoso’s story underscores the importance of accountability, solidarity, and the courage to say, “It’s over.”

The Football Newsletter will continue to cover this story as it unfolds, tracking the ripple effects this case will have on football culture and the future of women’s sport in Spain and beyond.