Spain’s Women’s World Cup team has been invited for a free night-out in the sleepy New Zealand city of Palmerston North after claims they quit their base there early out of boredom.
The team denied that was the case and said they were moving to Wellington to prepare for their final group game against Japan on Monday and a potential last-16 match both in the New Zealand capital.
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An earlier media report said the world’s sixth-ranked team had deserted the city because “the lack of things to do in the area has taken its toll” after two weeks in Palmerston North.
Spanish journalists following the team have made similar complaints about the city, which has a population of about 90,000 and an unfashionable reputation.
Palmerston North’s mayor Grant Smith was compelled to respond, telling news outlet Stuff: “I’d be quite happy to show the Spanish team a night-out in Palmy.”
Smith told The New Zealand Herald he appreciated that his city was no Barcelona or Madrid, before adding: “But we are comfortable in our own skin as a city.”
A spokeswoman for the team said they had enjoyed their stay in Palmerston North.
“We can’t speak highly enough of our stay there,” she told AFP.
“Moving to Wellington has nothing to do with being bored. We were treated very well and the players have had no complaints.”
It is the second time the Spanish have ruffled feathers in New Zealand. They issued an apology before the tournament began after a video emerged of players making fun of the haka, a ceremonial dance considered sacred to indigenous Maori people.
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Women’s World Cup star Linda Caicedo was “tired” when she went down clutching her chest in training, Colombia coach Nelson Abadia said, and may not play against Germany on Sunday.
The 18-year-old Real Madrid forward was at the centre of a health scare on Thursday when she stopped running and lay on the ground holding her chest.
Abadia on Saturday called it “an episode of tiredness, a bit of stress over her debut in a senior World Cup”.
“It was just an episode and she is ok now,” he added.
“Linda has overcome the event.
“Whether she will play, we have 24 hours or a bit more to decide.
“She is a very important player for football and for us in our game plan.”
Caicedo, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago but made a full recovery, is a rising star of women’s football.
She scored in Colombia’s opening 2-0 win over South Korea in her World Cup debut this week.
Colombia face two-time former World Cup champions Germany in Sydney with a place in the last 16 in Australia and New Zealand in sight.
REAL REASON BEHIND FIFA BOSS’ MID-WWC DASH REVEALED
The reason behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s mad dash from the Women’s World Cup has been revealed after he popped up in the Cook Islands.
According to Sky News, Infantino was revealed to have left the Women’s World Cup after just five matchdays and gone to Tahiti after the outlet tracked the movements of a private jet known to be used by the FIFA boss.
However, news has since emerged of why Infantino departed the Women’s World Cup early as he became the first FIFA president to visit the Cook Islands.
Infantino’s visit was in relation to the FIFA Forward program where funds are being used to boost the profile of football in countries across Oceania.
“I am delighted to be in the beautiful Cook Islands, where you see everyone is crazy about football,” Infantino said.
“This is particularly evident as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is currently taking place, is also the World Cup of the whole of Oceania and a great celebration across all of the Pacific Islands.”
Infantino is reportedly set to make his way to Australia for a number of the remaining group stage games before he continues to visit a number of other Oceania member nations.
He’ll then return to New Zealand and Australia for the remainder of the tournament.
Womens’ World Cup Schedule – 29th July (All times AEST)
Group G: Sweden v Italy — 5:30pm
Group F: France v Brazil — 8pm
Group F: Panama v Jamaica — 10:30pm
