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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said Saturday it makes “no sense” to play La Liga matches this weekend after deadly flooding in the east of Spain.
The Valencia region was hit by devastating flash floods which have killed at least 211 people this week.
Champions Real Madrid’s visit to Valencia and Villarreal’s match against Rayo Vallecano were postponed, but Simeone said all matches should have been scrapped.
“It’s clear that it makes no sense, what is happening is something that’s so hard,” Simeone told reporters before Atletico face Las Palmas on Sunday.
“It’s emotional to see all the people going out into the streets to help … with whatever they can…
“There are people who are having a terrible time, it’s very sad, and we are in a place where they tell us to continue and here we are, continuing.”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick also suggested calling off all games might have been appropriate.
“It’s not easy to make the decision (about) what to do, we started this (round) yesterday,” Flick told reporters ahead of Barcelona’s derby clash against Espanyol on Sunday.
“For me it’s a tragedy, we also had this in Germany three years ago, it’s also horrible to see this.
“If we can support the region we will do that of course, the other things the league has to decide.”
Asked if he would have postponed the whole round of La Liga games, Flick said he would lean that way.
“If I could make the decision maybe I would do that, it’s a tragedy for this region and also for Spain, so maybe yes,” said the German coach.
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded to critics of the decision to play eight top flight matches this weekend on social media platform X.
“We think that in the terrible situation that Spain is going through, the best message is not to stop, apart from in the affected areas,” wrote the La Liga chief.
“The best message is to be on the front line in our places of work, like workers in every other sector, giving visibility (to the situation), generating resources, and explaining to the world that we have to be all hands to the pumps to move forward.”
La Liga matches this weekend have a moment of silence in recognition of the victims before kick-off.
The Spanish league said Thursday they are working with the Red Cross charity organisation to raise disaster relief funds during broadcasts of the matches played in Spain’s top two divisions this weekend.
On Saturday, Osasuna striker Ante Budimir held up a shirt with a message in support of those in Valencia affected by the disaster, as part of his celebration after scoring against Real Valladolid.
AFP
