La Liga managers criticise decision to play after floods

Several La Liga managers believe matches in the Spanish top flight should have been cancelled this weekend following the floods in Valencia that have left at least 211 people dead.

Torrential rain in the Valencia region on Monday caused floods that destroyed bridges, covered towns with 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 at Valencia and Rayo Vallecano’s trip to Villarreal were both postponed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Atletico Madrid’s game at home against Las Palmas is still due to take place at 13:00 GMT on Sunday and manager Diego Simeone was critical of the RFEF during his pre-match news conference.

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

“What is happening is very hard. The people who went out into the street to help, who with a shovel and their tools try to collaborate, that speaks very well of the country, of the people, and we want to help where we can.

“There are people having a very bad time, it is very sad and they tell us to carry on and here we are, carrying on.”

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick echoed Simeone’s thoughts when speaking prior to Sunday’s 15:15 GMT fixture against Catalan rivals Espanyol.

“If it were me, I might do it [suspend sport] because it is an incredible tragedy for Valencia and Spain as a whole,” Flick said.

“We have spoken with [Barcelona attacker] Ferran [Torres], who is from the area, and it is not easy to decide whether the game should be played or not.

“For me it is a tragedy. It was something similar in Germany three years ago, it is horrible. We will do everything we can to help. The rest is for La Liga to decide.”

Girona beat Leganes 4-3 on Saturday and manager Michel admitted it was difficult to take any joy from the result.

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

Miguel Gutierrez opened the scoring for Girona and held up a shirt displaying 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’re still trying to find her,” Gutierrez said.

“I believe the match takes a backseat. Aside from Madrid, the city I’ve spent the most time in where I have the most friends and connections is Valencia.

“I can assure you that I’ve seen videos and been on video calls with friends and it’s a complete disaster, an absolute nightmare.”