Luis Rubiales World Cup Kiss Subject of New Netflix Soccer Documentary

The infamous 2023 women’s World Cup kiss scandal is the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary. Out Nov. 1, It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football will explore the lasting impact of Luis Rubiales, former president of Spain’s soccer federation, kissing athlete Jennifer Hermoso allegedly without her consent at the World Cup final in August 2023.

Hermoso herself will appear in the documentary to share new details about the incident with support from her teammates, whose historic win — Spain’s first-ever women’s World Cup victory — was overshadowed by the actions of one individual. During the medals ceremony, after Spain defeated England 1-0, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso and kissed both of her cheeks before kissing her on the lips. The athlete maintained that she did not consent to the interaction, telling her teammates: “I didn’t like that.”

“The players recount their experiences they have lived over the past year from a place they’ve never spoken from before,” director Joanna Pardos shared in a statement. “It’s the first time they’re discussing this for many of them. It’s a privilege to have such personal testimonies of a milestone that has marked a before and after in the sports and social history of our country.”

Rubiales, on the other hand, claimed to be a victim of “social assassination” before eventually stepping down as president of Spain’s soccer federation and as vice president of the Union of European Football Associations’ executive committee. “After being suspended by FIFA, and the other proceedings against me, it’s evident I can’t return to the position,” he said in a statement at the time. Last October, FIFA issued Rubiales a three-year ban from the sport.

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Besides Hermoso, the documentary also features interviews with Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira, Ivana Andrés, Laia Codina, Sandra Paños, and Lola Gallardo. According to a synopsis, the release “is also a story about unity and friendship, a reflection on the concept of a team and its significance beyond personal goals.” The narrative of the film begins in 2022 as the team begins its journey to the World Cup.

“This is the story of how a group of exceptional women not only transformed the sport they love but also challenged and changed social perceptions and structures, inspiring future generations to fight for equality and recognition,” said executive co-producers Javier Martínez and Luis Miguel CalvoIt. “It is a chronicle of resilience, passion, and triumph in the face of adversity, marking a milestone in the fight for equality in sports and society.”

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