Real Madrid vs. Valencia Match Postponed Amidst Flood Devastation

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has announced three days of national mourning. This comes as the La Liga match between champions Real Madrid and Valencia, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to severe flash floods across Spain. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed the postponement of all football matches within the Valencia region. This decision follows torrential rain that has resulted in at least 95 fatalities and left dozens more unaccounted for in the area. On Thursday, Real Madrid, in collaboration with the Red Cross, contributed $1m (£845,000) to aid individuals affected by the flooding. In a statement, Real Madrid explained, “The donation will go towards helping the numerous families currently dealing with what is a critical situation, and who are in need of all our assistance and solidarity.” Additionally, Villarreal’s La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano has been cancelled. Three Segunda division matches are also affected: Castellon versus RC Ferrol, CD Eldense against SD Huesca, and Malaga’s away game at Levante. In Liga F, the women’s premier league, fixtures including Valencia’s encounter with Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid’s match against Levante have also been postponed. The RFEF’s decision to postpone all professional matches in the affected region followed requests from La Liga, Liga F, and the clubs themselves, made in the wake of the flash floods. Furthermore, several Copa del Rey matches, such as Valencia’s scheduled visit to Parla Escuela, had already undergone rescheduling. The RFEF announced that a minute’s silence would be observed during this weekend’s games to demonstrate Spanish football’s “solidarity for those affected, especially the relatives of those who have died in the natural disaster.”