Real Madrid Manager Ancelotti Suggests Football Suspension Following Spain Floods

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that football in Spain ought to have been suspended following the flash floods in the Valencia region, which resulted in the deaths of more than 215 individuals. His team currently holds the second position in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by nine points. Real Madrid’s scheduled La Liga match against Valencia and Villarreal’s fixture against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday were postponed, a decision made after La Liga submitted a request to the Royal Spanish FA (RFEF). Nevertheless, six top-tier matches proceeded as planned during the weekend. Last week, six Copa del Rey fixtures involving La Liga clubs, among them Valencia, were postponed after local authorities issued guidance against non-essential travel within the affected area. Subsequently, on Monday, the RFEF once more postponed five Copa del Rey matches, following requests for a second postponement from several clubs located in Valencia. Ancelotti stated, “Football is a party and you can only celebrate and party when you, your family and everybody is well. When people are not well, you don’t party.” He further added, “Football has to stop. Because it is the most important of the least important things in life.” Ancelotti acknowledged, “But we are not the decision-makers. We have to follow the instructions of those who are in charge.” He concluded by saying, “There are many ways to help. Football had to stop and then help. Everyone has been clear about it – nobody wanted to play.” Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone expressed that it made “no sense” for matches to proceed over the weekend, while Barcelona’s Hansi Flick indicated he would have cancelled them. Real is scheduled to host AC Milan in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday. Ancelotti previously managed Milan from 2001 to 2009, during which time he secured eight trophies, including two Champions League titles. His Real team suffered a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona on 26 October, and two days later, Real striker Vinicius Jr secured second place behind Rodri for the Ballon d’Or award. The recent tragedy in Valencia has since placed football-related concerns firmly into perspective. Ancelotti remarked, “It was supposed to be a special game for me, facing Milan. But there is no meaning in talking about football now.” He elaborated, “It has been a difficult week, not because of what happened with the Ballon d’Or or El Clasico. It happened and that’s that – congratulations to the winners.” Ancelotti clarified, “Our sadness is not about that. It is for what is happening here in Spain.” Uefa has announced that a moment of silence will be observed at all Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches this week, in remembrance of the flooding victims. Portions of the Valencia region have experienced rainfall equivalent to an entire year’s worth. On Sunday, during a visit to Paiporta, one of Valencia’s most severely affected towns, the king and queen of Spain were struck by mud and other projectiles thrown by angry protesters. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also had objects thrown at him and was promptly evacuated from the vicinity. Barcelona itself experienced flooding on Monday, following torrential rainfall. At El Prat Airport, more than 60 flights were either cancelled, delayed, or diverted, and rail services were suspended.