Five days after Spain’s former victory, a defiant Rubiales insisted many times at an RFEF situation meeting that he would no longer resign.
Putellas, who was distracted in the presence of the assembly, said she was “outraged.”
He mentioned: “The lies, the attitude, defending himself, but at the same time he attacked Jenni.
“This nation knew the reality and that’s why they applauded him simply to protect themselves.”
It was the turning point. Later that day, 81 Spanish players, including the 23 who attended the World Cup, announced that they would not play for the Spain women’s team until Rubiales was removed from his position.
“We needed a structural alternative. We would have liked a metamorphosis since the device could not stay like this,” said Putellas.
Putellas, who promoted the ‘it’s over’ movement that was followed by both his colleagues and Spanish society in general, added: “It had exploded and there was something negative a long time ago.”
However, more than two weeks had to pass after the players’ declaration before the RFEF and a wave of new convictions before Rubiales admitted defeat and resigned from his position.
FIFA has since banned the 47-year-old from all football-related activities for three years, while it was announced earlier this year that he will stand trial for sexual assault for kissing Hermoso without his consent. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “social murder.”
The players’ boycott finally came to an end when an agreement was reached with the RFEF, which apologized and promised to make “quick and profound adjustments.”
“The fact that our entire team, as well as players from around the world, were willing to accelerate a promotion, that gave me so much energy for everything. I think it gave me a superpower to face him and hold him back,” Hermoso said in the documentary.
“That’s why we have set a precedent and there are many women who can feel more powerful.”
BBC Game asked the RFEF for its reaction to the allegations in the documentary, but has yet to receive a response.
