Players and staff of NK Istra 1961 have now gone seven months without pay.
Imagine that happening in any reputable sports league; Imagine any American athlete getting their paycheck one second late. Lawsuits would be filed and players would walk away.
But for the Puljani, they are not only continuing to play, but are playing their best football all season and have just entered the quarterfinal round of the Croatian Cup.
Istra moved up to eighth place this weekend with a convincing 4-1 victory in Vinkovic against struggling Cibalia. The teams also played a rematch on Wednesday in the Cup at Pula. Istra managed to score a goal in the 84th minute and again in the 88th minute to come from behind and take the win from Cibalia.
Rumors persist that Istra players are living together in a small apartment. They haven’t been paid and the club refuses to even supply them with coffee. American owner Michael Glover has even toyed with the idea of pulling out of the league mid season.
Despite all of this, Istra are to face Dinamo in the quarterfinals of the Cup competition.
NK Rudes has also made a deep run and will be facing off against fellow pugeri, NK Lokomotiva. Osijek will take on Hajduk Split, while Inter Zapresic must wait for their fate, which will be decided in a match featuring NK Rijeka and HNK Gorica, which will be played on November 14.
I luuuuuuuuuuv Croatia! 2-1 to croatia. Kvaliteta će presuditi i crvena zvezda se vraća kući sa kurcom u dubetu.
Yup look at example Maurice Richard hockey legend used to work at CPR rail in off season while in the NHL
I know a far different time but these guys played cause they love it
U know even a 5-10 season career at half a million is more money then most people expect to make in most of their working lives
But at the same time if u can get paid to do ure passion ure set but if u can gett paid millions all the power to u I suppose
Supports my theory that all athletes would play for room, board, & travel expenses. Crazy how we pay ppl millions to play a freakin game.