The stolen glory of Spain's World Cup champions
Spain's players filed in to the Alameda Hotel not far from Madrid's airport. It had been a month, almost to the day, since they won the World Cup. It should have been a joyful reunion, a welcome and gleeful chance for the women to revel in the greatest glory of their careers.
Instead, they looked as if they were heading into battle.
In a way, of course, they were. Many of Spain's players have been locked in open conflict with the country's soccer federation — its employer, in effect — for more than a year. The disagreement expanded to envelop almost all of them pretty much from the moment the whistle blew to end the World Cup final.
Over the last week or so, all of their efforts have — finally — borne fruit.
The players have secured something that looks a lot like victory; in the war, at least, even if the peace still has to be won. Concessions have been made, commitments assured, and heads are starting to roll. Three major figures have fallen.
More will follow in time.
This is what the players have wanted all along. The original protest, the one last year that led 15 members of the squad to temporarily refuse to play for the national team, was rooted in a desire to force the federation to change. The team wanted better facilities, a proper support staff, a professionalized environment, a coach who did not track their every move.
To persuade some of the rebels to return for the World Cup, the federation had made some accommodations.
The team traveled to Australia and New Zealand with a nutritionist and a psychologist. The players were consulted on where they would stay and where they would train. Each squad member was given an allowance that permitted family and friends to join them.
Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com
