Before the city derby between Espanyol and FC Barcelona, the players observed a minute of silence for the victims of the flood disaster in the Valencia region.
In Spain, despite the flood disaster in Valencia, most La Liga games were played. However, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, and Atlético’s Diego Simeone deemed this a clear misjudgment.
The star-coach of Champions League winners Real Madrid views Football in Spain under a grim light following the flood disaster that claimed over 200 lives in the region. “Football is a celebration, and you can only celebrate when you and your family and everyone else is well. If people are not well, you cannot celebrate,” Ancelotti commented ahead of the Champions League clash against his former club AC Milan, criticizing the decision made by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which only postponed the matches of Real in Valencia and Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, while six other La Liga matches went ahead as scheduled.
“Football must stop. Because it is the most important of the unimportant things in life. However, we are not the decision-makers. We must follow the instructions of those in charge,” Ancelotti emphasized. Real Madrid announced a million-euro donation to aid the flood victims. “There are many ways to help. Football had to stop and then help. Everyone was aware of this – no one wanted to play,” stated Ancelotti.
He is not alone in his opinion. Another coaching colleague considered cancelling the entire matchday in the Spanish football league following the disaster. “If I could make the decision, I might do that; it is a tragedy for this region and for Spain as well, so maybe yes,” said the Barcelona coach just before the city derby against Espanyol Barcelona, which Barça ultimately won 3-1.
The images from eastern Spain reminded Flick of the flood disaster in his home country. “We had that in Germany three years ago as well; it is terrible to see,” said the former national team coach. In the match, Flick had to do without Ferran Torres, who hails from the region hardest hit by the storm. “I didn’t even have the strength to go to the stadium to see my teammates play today,” the 24-year-old explained his absence on Instagram, urging for better assistance to those affected.
Flick’s coaching colleague Diego Simeone went even further in his remarks. “It is obvious that it makes no sense. What is happening now is so hard,” said the Atlético Madrid coach before the game against UD Las Palmas (2-0).
Regarding the match against AC Milan, which he managed from 2001 to 2009, Ancelotti now sees it through a different lens. “It was supposed to be a special game for me, against Milan. But right now, it makes no sense to talk about football,” said Ancelotti.
UEFA has announced that a minute of silence will be observed in all Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches this week in memory of the flood victims.
