As devastating floods have ravaged the Valencia region, leaving at least 211 dead and several towns in ruins, La Liga has come under fire for continuing its matches as planned. Heavy rainfall on Monday triggered unprecedented floods, wiping out bridges, cutting off entire communities, and leaving thousands without access to essential resources. While the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) postponed specific matches in the affected region, other La Liga games are set to proceed as scheduled — a decision some managers find deeply troubling.

Simeone Speaks Out: “It Doesn’t Make Any Sense”

Atletico Madrid’s head coach, Diego Simeone, expressed his frustration at the RFEF’s approach during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Las Palmas. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Simeone declared, voicing solidarity with the people of Valencia and those impacted by the disaster. He commended the volunteers working tirelessly to help their communities, emphasizing that the priority should be on aiding recovery efforts, not continuing with league play. “There are people having a very bad time,” Simeone said, highlighting the emotional toll and sense of duty to stand with those affected.

Barcelona’s Hansi Flick Echoes Calls for Suspension

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also weighed in on the matter, stating that if it were his choice, he would pause matches across Spain out of respect for those affected by the tragedy. “If it were me, I might do it [suspend sport] because it is an incredible tragedy for Valencia and Spain as a whole,” Flick remarked. He noted that the decision to proceed reflects La Liga’s priorities, but from his perspective, the floods warrant national reflection. Flick highlighted that Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, a native of Valencia, has been particularly affected, adding an emotional layer to Barcelona’s upcoming clash with Espanyol.

Heartfelt Support from Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez

In a poignant gesture during Girona’s 4-3 victory over Leganes, Miguel Gutierrez scored the opening goal and lifted a shirt with the message “Força Valencia” to show support for the flood-ravaged community. Following the match, Gutierrez shared a personal connection to the tragedy, revealing that his friend’s mother remains missing after being swept away by the floodwaters. “The first shirt I lifted was for my friend Enrique, whose mother is missing,” Gutierrez explained. “I’ve seen videos and been on video calls with friends and it’s a complete disaster, an absolute nightmare.”

Girona’s manager, Michel, admitted he found it difficult to celebrate the team’s win, questioning the decision to play the match amid such tragedy. “We shouldn’t celebrate anything since this match shouldn’t have been played,” he said, underscoring the emotional disconnect many are feeling amid the ongoing crisis.

A Tragedy That Transcends Sport

While football is a cherished part of Spanish culture, the current situation in Valencia has cast a shadow over the weekend’s fixtures. The RFEF’s choice to continue games, except for those directly impacted by the flooding, has stirred debate about the role of sport during times of national crisis. Critics argue that maintaining the league’s schedule may appear insensitive, especially as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the death toll could still rise.

The floods have drawn comparisons to other natural disasters, including a devastating incident in Germany three years ago, a connection Flick alluded to when describing the emotional toll. For many players, coaches, and fans, the ongoing tragedy in Valencia places football in the background as they grapple with the enormity of the loss and devastation affecting thousands of lives.

An Emotional Tension Between Sport and Solidarity

As La Liga forges ahead, some managers, players, and fans are left questioning the appropriateness of this decision. With players dedicating their goals to loved ones and expressing grief over friends and family affected by the flood, the league’s decision to continue matches has spotlighted a clash between sport’s unifying spirit and the urgent need for national solidarity.

For now, the ongoing debate illustrates the profound emotional impact of the floods on the Spanish football community and beyond, raising important questions about where priorities lie during times of shared grief.

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