Following a historic flood that claimed hundreds of lives in eastern Spain, Valencia CF has asked for an additional postponement of their upcoming Copa del Rey match against Parla Escuela.
The club, located in one of the hardest-hit regions, has appealed to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) to delay the game, citing the need to focus on supporting recovery efforts amid widespread destruction and loss of life.
The devastating floods, caused by an intense storm that battered eastern Spain, have left at least 217 people dead, with many still unaccounted for.
This catastrophic event has left entire neighborhoods covered in mud and debris, with volunteers and emergency workers tirelessly searching through the wreckage to locate survivors and offer assistance to affected communities.
According to emergency services, this is one of the most severe natural disasters Spain has faced in decades, leaving behind a path of destruction and grief that extends far beyond the region of Valencia.
Valencia CF’s first-round Copa del Rey match was originally scheduled to take place last week, but after the storm’s initial impact, it was postponed to November 6. However, the ongoing crisis led the club to request an additional delay.
In a statement, Valencia CF emphasized the need to prioritize the community over sporting events, saying, “The club thinks that, at this time of great difficulty, all energy, attention and support must be focused on helping those affected by the tragic events of (the storm). Football is in the background.”
The club’s statement expressed condolences to the families and friends of the flood victims and underscored the collective mourning felt across the region. This sentiment was echoed by several other coaches and players in Spain’s top league, who felt that football games should take a back seat under such tragic circumstances.
Atletico Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, commented that it made “no sense” to continue matches while communities were struggling with the aftermath of the floods. Similarly, Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick voiced that he would have preferred a full postponement of the league games if the decision had been in his hands.
In addition to the Copa del Rey request, Valencia’s recent La Liga match against Real Madrid was also postponed. Other teams, including Villarreal, which was due to face Rayo Vallecano, similarly had games postponed as the storm’s devastation unfolded.
