Floods in Valencia: La Liga managers criticize decision to play weekend matches

Several La Liga managers believe matches in Spain’s top flight should have been canceled this weekend after the Valencia floods, which killed at least 211 people.

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

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said the number of deaths is expected to rise further.

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

Atletico Madrid’s home match against Las Palmas is due to take place at 1pm GMT on Sunday and manager Diego Simeone was critical of the RFEF during his pre-match press conference.

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

“What is happening is very difficult. The people who took to the streets to help, who tried to work together with a shovel and their tools, that speaks very well about the country, about the people, and we want to help where we can.

“There are people who are having a really bad time, it’s very sad and they say we have to keep going, and here we are, keep going.”

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick echoed Simeone’s thoughts as he spoke ahead of Sunday’s match at 15:15 GMT against Catalan rivals Espanyol.

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

“We have spoken to (Barcelona striker) Ferran (Torres), who is from the region, and it is not easy to decide whether the match should be played or not.

“For me it’s a tragedy. Three years ago it was something similar in Germany, it’s terrible. We will do everything we can to help. The rest is up to La Liga to decide.”

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

“I wasn’t angry, but we can’t celebrate as this match shouldn’t have been played,” Michel said.

Miguel Gutierrez opened the scoring for Girona, holding up a shirt with the message “Forca Valencia” in support of the region.

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

“I believe the game is taking a backseat. Apart from Madrid, Valencia is the city where I have spent the most time and where I have the most friends and connections.

“I can assure you that I have seen videos and had video calls with friends and it is an absolute disaster, an absolute nightmare.”