Flooding in Valencia: La Liga managers criticize the decision to play games at the weekend

Several La Liga managers believe matches in Spain’s top flight had to be canceled this weekend due to flooding in Valencia, which has killed at least 211 people.

Heavy rain in the Valencia region on Monday caused floods that destroyed bridges, drowned towns in mud, cut off communities and left them without water, food or electricity.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the number of deaths was expected to continue to rise.

Real Madrid’s match in Valencia and Rayo Vallecano’s trip to Villarreal have been postponed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Atlético Madrid’s home game against Las Palmas is still due to take place at 13:00 GMT on Sunday and coach Diego Simeone criticized the RFEF during his pre-match press conference.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Simeone said.

“What is happening is very difficult. People who went out into the streets to help, who are trying to cooperate with a shovel and tools, this speaks very well about the country, about the people, and we want to help where we can. .

“There are people who feel very bad, it’s very sad, and they tell us to continue, and so we continue.”

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick echoed Simeone’s thoughts when speaking ahead of Sunday’s match with Catalan rivals Espanyol at 15:15 GMT.

“If it were me, I could do it (suspend the sport) because it is an incredible tragedy for Valencia and Spain as a whole,” Flick said.

“We spoke to Barcelona striker Ferran (Torres), who is from the area, and we are having a hard time deciding whether to play the game or not.

“For me this is a tragedy. Something similar happened in Germany three years ago, it’s terrible. We will do our best to help. La Liga must decide the rest.”

Girona beat Leganes 4-3 on Saturday and coach Michel admitted it was difficult to celebrate the result.

“I’m not upset, but we shouldn’t celebrate anything because this match shouldn’t have been played,” Michel said.

Miguel Gutierrez opened the scoring for Girona and held up his Forca Valencia T-shirt in support of the region.

“The first shirt I picked up was for my friend Enrique, whose mother disappeared. She was swept away by the current and they are still trying to find her,” Gutierrez said.

“I think this match is fading into the background. Besides Madrid, the city in which I have spent the most time, where I have the most friends and connections, is Valencia.

“I can assure you that I have watched the video and video chatted with friends and it is a complete disaster, an absolute nightmare.”