The Valencia club requested on Monday a further postponement of its Copa del Rey match against the amateurs of the Parla Escuela, rescheduled for Wednesday after the violent floods which caused at least 217 deaths last week in the south of Spain.
“Football is relegated to the background”
“Valencia CF requested this morning from the Royal Spanish Football Federation the postponement of the match against CP Parla Escuela-Fair Play, counting for the first knockout round of the 2024 Copa del Rey, which was to be played this Wednesday 6 November at 7 p.m. at Las Americas Stadium (Madrid region),” the club said in a statement.
The Spanish team “understands that in this time of great difficulty, all energies, attention and support must be focused on helping those affected by the tragic event of DANA (the name given to atmospheric depression at the origin of the floods, Editor's note)” and believes that “football is relegated to the background”.
“We would like to send our most sincere condolences and our affection to the families, loved ones of the deceased and to the victims of this disaster which leaves us devastated,” added the Valencian club, whose La Liga match against Real Madrid was also postponed.
Ancelotti: “I don’t have the heart to talk about football”
On the eve of meeting AC Milan in the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti said he did not have “the heart to talk about football” following the violent floods which caused at least 217 deaths in the south-east of Valencia.
“We are very sad. I hope you understand that I don't have the heart to talk about football. It’s a special match for me, I would love to talk about it, but I will try to talk as little as possible,” he said at a press conference.
Tebas: “Don’t stop”
Several La Liga coaches and players felt this weekend that the championship matches should not have been played in tribute to the victims, notably Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone, for whom there was “no sense » to maintain this championship day.
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded that “the best message” was “not to stop, except in the affected areas”, by sharing a Red Cross donation call number.
Several clubs provided support to the affected regions through food harvests and essential materials.
Real Madrid made a donation of one million euros and FC Barcelona announced that it would auction the jerseys worn by its players in the Catalan derby against Espanyol on Sunday (3-1) to raise funds.
