Portugal Colonial - Spain World Cup team invited for night-out after 'boredom' claim

The team said that was not the case and 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.

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."

A spokeswoman for the team said they had enjoyed their stay in North Palmerston.

"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.

A.S.Diogo--PC