Liga: the day of shame

It is a distressing situation that certain villages in the Valencia region are experiencing. While the authorities have so far recorded 214 deaths, everyone fears that the figures will skyrocket as rescue teams clear the numerous cars scattered in the streets and evacuate garages, parking lots and basements. still covered in water. If the whole country is mobilizing to help the victims and thousands of neighbors have put their hands in the dirt to clean the streets and bring food aid to the most affected areas, the Spaniards are waiting for action from their government which is overdue. clearly to come…

And inevitably, our neighbors, although usually keen on football, clearly don’t have the spirit for sport at the moment. The meeting between Valencia and Real Madrid was logically postponed, as was the match between Levante and Malaga in the second division. But the rest of the La Liga day will be played normally, which provokes the indignation of many people across the Pyrenees. “ Playing this weekend makes no sense. Something very serious is happening, many people are suffering. I am very sad », For example, said Diego Simeone, coach of Atlético de Madrid. And the Argentinian was clearly not the only one to have this opinion.

La Liga made a controversial decision

“ This day should not be played. Other colleagues have talked about it, but I say it again, we had to suspend the day », Launched Pepe Bordalas, coach of Getafe. “ Playing this match was pointless », Explained Luis Garcia Plaza, coach of Alavés, after his team’s victory against Mallorca (1-0) on Friday. “ In these situations there should be no matches », For his part said Pablo Maffeo, player from Mallorca. And there are a lot of similar opinions. The same goes for supporters and social media users. For its part, La Liga explained that it had considered suspending the day, but ultimately decided to maintain it. “ The same thing happening to workers across the country », Explains a championship source to Sport.

“ We believe that in the terrible situation we are experiencing in Spain, the best message is not to stop, except in the affected areas. The best message is to be on the front lines of our work, like all workers in other sectors, giving visibility, generating resources and explaining to the world that we must all be on deck to move forward », wrote Javier Tebas, president of the championship, on social networks. User reactions speak volumes about the unpopularity of this decision. During the match between Girona and Leganés on Saturday, several players such as full-back Miguel Gutierrez paid tribute to the victims during the goal celebrations. “ The most difficult match of my life. I wouldn’t have played. My friend Henry lost his mother, the current took her away and they are still looking for her », Confided Gutierrez in tears after the match. A pain shared by a country in mourning and for which football takes a back seat, for once…