Se Acabó: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football
- Rihanna Williams
- Jan 5
- 6 min read
‘Se Acabó’ or ‘It’s All Over’ follows the events that led up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup Final, and the aftermath of the celebrations. The documentary was released on Netflix on November 1st 2024. It includes personal accounts from players like two time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí regarding disruption within the Spanish Football Federation.
The Build Up:
The issues with the RFEF (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) began long before the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The Federation appointed Ignacio Quereda as manager of La Roja in 1988, staying in his position for 27 years, being dismissed in 2015 after a poor performance in the World Cup, with Spain placing bottom of their group after not winning a game.
Lola Gallardo (Atlético Madrid) claimed Quereda “treated [them] as if [they] were his little girls,” grabbing them inappropriately and making vulgar and homophobic comments such as “you need a good man or good d*ck.” Ivana Andrés (Inter Milan) backed this statement, also stating that Quereda would often draw 12 players on the tactics board instead of 11, and was unfit for the job. Alexia Putella and Jenni Hermoso added that he would discuss his nephew who was a bullfighter, imposing that he should be one of their boyfriends.
The federation also repeatedly provided low quality transport and facilities for the girls, where they would not have access to their own changing room, would take ‘5 hour bus journeys between games’ and arrived in Canada just 24 hours before playing their first ever World Cup game in the history of Spanish Women's Football.
After the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Jorge Vilda was appointed as head coach. Vilda’s father Angel had previously worked for the RFEF, coaching the women’s youth teams. Jorge coached the girls U17 and U19 teams, before being appointed to the women’s team. Vilda allegedly only got the job as his father was good friends with Luis Rubiales, who was high up in the RFEF (and eventually became head of the federation in 2018).
Sandra Paños said they would ask Vilda simple questions like ‘how do we put pressure on the other team’, and Vilda could not provide an answer, brushing it off and saying “have faith, we have plan A, B, C, D.”
By 2022 Spain had not won any further trophies, even after the management change. They progressed to the round of 16 in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, getting knocked out by the United States who eventually won the competition, and lost 2-1 to England in the 2022 Euro Quarter Finals. The closest La Roja came to victory was a silver medal at the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup.
Despite the lack of results, Vilda was offered a 2 year contract extension in 2022. Captains Irene Paredes, Jenni Hermoso and Patri Guijarro voiced their concerns to Rubiales, who was now head of the RFEF, however the issue was brushed away. The players described Vilda’s behaviour as intrusive, needing to know who they were with or what they were eating at all times. He would also enter the players' hotel rooms at night, saying it was a ‘good time to have a chat with [them].”
Las 15:
Laia Aleixandri. Ona Batlle. Aitana Bonmatí. Mariona Caldentey. Nerea Eizagirre. Lola Gallardo. Lucía García. Patri Guijarro. María León. Ainhoa Moraza. Leila Ouahabi. Sandra Paños. Andrea Pereira. Clàudia Pina. Amaiur Sarriegi.
Las 15.
15 members of the Spanish Women’s National Team took a stand, sending an identical email to the Federation stating that they would be unavailable for international selection until change was made. Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes and Jenni Hermoso also backed the movement. Within the email, the players expressed their concern regarding Vilda and the conditions the national team was facing.
Just 30 minutes after being sent, the email had been shared with the Spanish press, with some outlets claiming the players were calling for Vilda’s resignation. All 18 players later took to Twitter, releasing a statement reiterating why they had chosen to not be called up. The RFEF called for an apology, backing Vilda, and not allowing the players to be called up until the situation was resolved. The 15 players and anyone who backed them were not called up for the October 2022 international friendlies.
Despite lacking 15+ key players, the side still performed well, defeating the world champions the United States. Vilda and the federation did not speak up again regarding Las 15, refusing to acknowledge them and the situation.
Irene Paredes, who has not been called up for Spain's most recent squad in November 2024, returned to the squad in March 2023, prior to the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The preliminary squad was announced in June 2023, with 5 of the 15 players getting called up after speaking to the RFEF, including Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí, and Alexia Putellas.
Reports came from the Spanish media, claiming most of the players had apologised, however it was later revealed that 7 had not made contact with the RFEF. It is rumoured that Putellas encouraged the players to speak to the RFEF, however FC Barcelona goalkeeper Sandra Paños has not been called up, even after speaking to the federation. Some players including María León are yet to return to the team, however Patri Guijarro was called up for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Women’s World Cup 2023:
With the RFEF promising change, the players were finally given the opportunity to bring their families to the world cup, with some players having children and wanting to bring them along. They were also provided better transport to the World Cup.
The World Cup Group Stage began with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica, a 5-0 win over Zambia, and a 4-0 defeat against Japan. These results had proved enough to get the team into the Round of 16, progressing to the Quarter Final after a 5-1 win over Switzerland. The Quarter Final proved difficult, an 81st minute goal from Mariona not being enough to win the game, as the Netherlands’ van der Gragt scored in the 91st minute, sending the game into extra time. A 111th minute goal from Paralluelo sent the team through to the Semi Final. A 2-1 win over Sweden in the Semi Final sent La Roja to the Final, their furthest progression in a competition ever.
An early goal from Olga Carmona gave the Spaniards hope of their first international title. A deflection off the crossbar was not enough for England to equalise. Late into the second half, Spain were awarded a penalty due to a hand ball. Hermoso stepped up, but couldn’t convert, leaving the whole of Spain on edge. However, The Lionesses' efforts were not enough. Spain were Champions of the world.
The moments that changed Spanish Football forever. Rubiales had been spotted grabbing himself inappropriately whilst sat with the Spanish Royal Family, as well as picking up Athenea del Castillo, who at the time was only 22, and throwing her over his shoulder. A celebratory video had shown Rubiales kissing Olga Carmona on the cheek.
The medal ceremony. The moment that changed it all. Unnoticed by many players at the time, when presenting Jenni Hermoso with her medal, Luis Rubiales,the President of the RFEF, kissed her.
Hermoso spoke to her teammates Putellas, Codina and Paredes for advice, however the incident was brushed off as the celebrations continued. On an Instagram livestream, the video was shown, Hermoso saying “Hey, I didn’t like it though,” and “What was I supposed to do? Look at me.” She did not feel in a position to share that it had made her uncomfortable. Confrontation came while on the bus. Many players, who had not realised the extent the situation was, were chanting things like “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Paredes spoke out, making the team aware of how serious this was.
The Aftermath:
Vilda and Rubiales were both released from the RFEF, Vilda taking up position as the Morocco Women’s National Team head coach, and Rubiales facing jail time for sexual assault.
Montserrat Tomé has taken over as head coach of the Spanish Women’s national team, with her side winning the 2023/24 Nations League, and placing 4th in the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Comments